Heather Magill is entering her 20th year as a Science and STEM teacher at Palm Springs Middle School in Palm Beach County, where she has spent her career igniting curiosity and building opportunities for students from all walks of life. A Nationally Certified STEM educator, Heather’s love for science—especially anything connected to the environment—shines through in everything she does, from her hands-on lessons to the immersive experiences she creates for her students. She proudly leads her school’s science department and was honored in 2020 with the William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education in STEM—recognition of both her expertise and her unwavering commitment to her students. 

In 2016, Heather founded the school’s STEM program, a labor of love that has since become the only fully certified STEM program in the district. The program offers students not just access to science, but the chance to live it—to ask questions, explore the world around them, and discover their own potential. 

Beyond the classroom, Heather hosts the #ExplorewithERM virtual field trips for the county. In partnership with ERM’s Benji Studt and Kylie Ariotti, she brings the beauty and mystery of Palm Beach County’s Natural Areas directly to students across Florida. These live field trips introduce students to the Hidden Wild places in their own backyard and allow them to connect in real time with scientists working in the field