About Mike Farmer

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We are in the process of putting together a summary of Mike's life,   his background, his career, his legacy. 

We need your help in compiling this information

Please submit information to

Don Talley at dontalley@gmail.com

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Background

Michael Houston Farmer was born on November 8, 1941 near Greer SC.

Mike was son of the Houston Martin Farmer and Edith Ballenger Farmer. His father served in the Navy in World War II. His parents lived in the Pleasant Grove Community of Greer SC and are buried at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

His grandfather was Martin L Farmer and his grandmother was Maudie Keller Farmer. Martin Farmer and Maud also lived in the Pleasant Grove community of Greer SC. They are buried at the Zoar United Methodist Church in Greer SC. The Farmer family had lived in the Spartanburg and Greerarea for several generations

Mike grew up in the Pleasant Grove community near Riverside, only 3 or 4 miles from Riverside High School.

Mike's father struggled to find work after returning from his service to our country  in World War II.  The family moved numerous times and money for housing, food, and clothing was scarce..   It was a very difficult time for the Farmer's.    Mike's grandparents helped the family out any way they could. Mike's mother passed away in 1957, while Mike was still a high school student and his grandmother played a very important role in Mike's life.

Mike graduated from Greer High School in 1960.   Classmates recall that Mike was interested in space and science and  "firing rockets" during his years at Greer High.    Family members tell the story of how one day Mike was building rockets in his grandmother's barn and ended up burning the barn down.

Greer High School physics teacher Mr. F.L. Maxwell was a early mentor to Mike.  Maxwell and other teachers encouraged Mike to set high goals and apply himself.   They reminded Mike that he didn't have to settle for life working the textile mills, a career which awaited many of his classmates.

He graduated from Greenville Technical College in 1970 with a degree in Chemical Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Clemson University in 1972.

After a successful career as a chemist, Mike felt that he wanted to make a difference in the world in ways he couldn't do in the corporate world.   He decided to become a teacher.

When the new Riverside High School in Greer SC opened in 1973, Mike was the first Chemistry/Physics teacher and head of the Science Department.   The demands of being a teacher and department head of this new school didn't deter Mike from continuing to pursue his own formal education.   In 1974, he received a Masters Degree in Science Education from Clemson University.

Dr. Farmer taught Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy for over 40 years at Riverside High School, Greenville Technical College, and the SC Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities. During his career, Dr. Farmer served as the President of the Greenville County Science Teachers Association, President of the South Carolina Science Council, President of the South Carolina Academy of Science, and Chairman of the High School Division of the National Science Teachers Association.
Mike was well known for his passion for space and his passion for teaching, and was popular among his students.

Throughout his career, Farmer inspired his students to pursue excellence.  Many of his students followed Mike's example and become teachers, many went on to careers in science. But no matter what path they took in life, they were influenced by Mike in profound ways.

Mike remained passionate about learning, about teaching, about the earth, and about space throughout his life.

In May of 1985, NASA announced their Teacher-In-Space program.   There were 10,463 applications from throughout the country.     Mike was one of only 114 finalists for the NASA project to put a teacher in space on the Challenger Space Shuttle.   The winner, Christa McCauliffe, perished when the Challenger crashed on lift off.

Mike pushed himself to further his education in the same way he pushed his students to pursue academic excellence.     In 1993, Mike Farmer became Dr. Michael H Farmer as he received a Doctorate in Secondary Education from the University of South Carolina.

Mike Farmer was a seeker and an explorer throughout his life.

We can't stop seeking the unknown.   We can't stop looking for what we don't understand. How are we going to understand, if we don't seek it?

-- Mike Farmer in a newspaper article 
from 2005 about space travel

Accolades, Awards, Publications, and Recognitions 

• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching  
• Greenville County Teacher of the Year
• Order of the Palmetto from Governor Richard Riley
• Human Relations Award from the Greenville County Education Association
• Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching from the South Carolina Academy of Science
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching
• Discover Magazine Teacher of the Year
• Governor's Award for Science Awareness for South Carolina
• National Science Teacher's Association's Gustav Ohaus Science Teaching Award
• Vernier Technology Award from National Science Teachers Association

1984 - Discover Magazine Teacher of the Year

Mike traveled to New York and was interviewed on the NBC TODAY SHOW about the award.  The interview was broadcast on national television on April 16, 1985

1985 - Selected as a South Carolina finalist for Teacher In Space Program.  The eventually winner was Christa McAuliffe. Christa was on the Challenger Space Shuttle which crashed upon take off.


1985 - The SC State Legislature passed a resolution congratulating Mike on being chosen to participate in the NASA Space Project.

A Concurrent Resolution to congratulate Michael H. Farmer of Greer, science teacher at Riverside High School, on being chosen to participate in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Project.

1985 - Order of the Palmetto Award from SC Governor Richard Riley


1986 - Published Science Research: A Modular Approach is both a step-by-step workbook for students and a guidebook for teachers to complete successful science projects!

This successful handbook, recipient of the NSTA-sponsored Star Award (Science Teaching Achievement Recognition), combats the problems most often associated with science projects -- poor planning, a shortage of time, the lack of student incentive, and inadequate teacher direction

1987 - Recipient of Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science (including computer science) teaching. Established by Congress in 1983, the PAEMST program authorizesthe President to bestow up to 108 awards each year.

1989 - Received Outstanding Alumni Award from Greenville Technical College


1990 - National Science Teacher's Association Gustav Ohaus Science Teaching Award


1995 - Served as President of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The South Carolina Academy of Science (SCAS) was organized in 1924, and in 1927 the Academy affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.Beginning in the 1960's, industry and business joined academic institutions in support of the Academy and have helped to set goals to aid and improve the development of science in South Carolina.

1999 - Govenor's Award for Excellence in Science for South Carolina

The award was established in 1985 by the Drug Science Foundation to honor specifically an individual or team within the state whose achievements and contributions to science in South Carolina merit special recognition and to promote wider awareness of the quality and extent of scientific activity in South Carolina. In 1989, the award was named the “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Science” and is presented under the joint sponsorship of the Governor’s Office and the South Carolina Academy of Science

2004 -  Received Vernier Technology Reward for High School Science Teaching from National Science Teachers Association

"NSTA awardees represent the best and brightest in science education," said John Penick, NSTA President. "We congratulate these outstanding educators for their lifelong commitment to science education and for their innovative and creative approach to teaching our students science." The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

2008 - Recognized by STAR (Strategies for Teacher Advancement & Renewal).

This program recognizes and rewards outstanding veteran SC teachers.

Our possibilities are limited only by our degree of determination.

From:

Profiles in Success: Reflections on the Community College Experience. 

American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, Washington, D.C.

In September 1989, letters were sent to the presidents and public information officers of each member college of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (Washington, D.C.) asking them to identify outstanding graduates who might be interested in composing short essays describing their community college experience. More than 190 colleges in 39 states responded. The essays presented in this collection were selected from a total of over 500 submissions because they represented quality writing, a broad geographic distribution, and the diverse populations served by community colleges.

Michael H. Farmer 

Greenville Technical College, SC 

I am one of those fortunate persons who make their livelihood enjoying themselves. 

As a high school chemistry teacher, I experience challenges and rewards every day, find fulfillment and satisfaction, and realize goals and accomplishments. I feel that my job is important; a link between past insights and future discoveries, youth and maturity, problems and solutions. 

My work is both career and passion--which after 17 years shows no sign of diminishing. The path to contentment was not direct, smooth, or easy. Thirty years ago, as a misdirected high school graduate, I had no intention of continuing my formal education. My parents and peers saw no value in more schooling and believed that getting a job was the best choice for me. I generally agreed, applied to work at a local auto battery factory, and resolved to "work hard and make good."

 It was a supervisor who interrupted my unambitious plans, encouraged me to enroll in the chemical technology program at Greenville Technical College, and set in motion a series of events that were to change t1 direction of my life. The first course in chemistry led to others; part -time classes became a full-time program; random study evolved into degree commitment.

 I was elected student body president and served as editor of the first yearbook. I set new goals: more technical expertise, a better paying job, improved social status. I graduated with honors from the associate degree program, became a supervisor with a synthetic fibers company, and settled back to reap the benefits of my accomplishments. 

My "settling" was short-lived. The classes at Tech proved to be a beginning rather than an end; the instruction I received was a catalyst rather than conclusion. My instructors encouraged me to seek higher goals, and when Clemson University opened a two-year extension program on the Tech campus, I enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program. When I received my degree in chemistry two years later, I again sensed the event was not a conclusion, but another beginning.

During my years at Tech and Clemson, I became convinced of the importance of education and felt a desire to become a part of the profession that uniquely touches the future. I chose to become a teacher.

In the 17 years since I made that decision, there have been no regrets, only reassurances. I've completed a master's degree program, begun work on a doctorate, received numerous state and national awards, and influenced hundreds of young people. I am forever reminded of how important a teacher's role is in influencing others.

 I hope that I can perpetuate what my Tech instructors taught me - that our possibilities are limited only by our degree of determination.

Michael H. Farmer graduated from Greenville Technical College in 1970 with a degree in chemical technology and is now living in Tigerville, SC. He is a high school chemistry teacher at Riverside High School in Greer, SC. He received the Human Relations Award from the Greenville County Education Association;  the Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching from the South Carolina Academy of Science, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching. 

I'm a realist and a scientist and a teacher....

In 1985, Mike Farmer was one of 112 semifinalists to be the first civilian educator to travel in space on the space shuttle.   The educator who was chosen to make the trip was Christa McAuliffe.   The Space Shuttle Challenger with Christa McAuliffe on board exploded soon after take off in 1986.  Christa was hailed as a hero and rightfully so.

Every teacher who followed their passion, defied the odds, and applied for the space mission was also a hero.

Here's an excerpt from a news article in 2003:

But Michael H. Farmer, a physics teacher in Greenville, S.C., argued that putting a teacher in space was a rational risk.
"I'm a realist and a scientist and a teacher—and throughout history, any time we do exploration we have tragedy," he said. "We can start with Lewis and Clark, and Magellan, and anyone you want to—when you venture into the unknown, you're going to have casualties."
Mr. Farmer, 60, is preparing his own educator mission specialist application, which must be filed with NASA by April 30.
Though his age might make him an unlikely astronaut candidate to some people, Mr. Farmer was one of the 112 semifinalists in 1985 for the original Reagan-era program, and time has not cooled his passion for space.
Now teaching science to gifted and talented students at South Carolina's 250-student Governor's School for the Arts, he said teaching from space would forge new connections between science and the arts.
He said he tells his students now, "If you experience the universe using only your five senses, you're going to miss most of it."

Read the full article at 

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2003/02/12/22nasa.h22.html