Matthew Darnell
Matthew Darnell joined the organization as an educator in 2022 after teaching middle school social studies for the state of Michigan. When not teaching, Matthew can be found reading and spending time with his family. He loves history and nature, and hopes to encourage others to think critically about the relationships between nature and society.
Matthew Darnell joined the organization as an educator in 2022 after teaching middle school social studies for the state of Michigan. When not teaching, Matthew can be found reading and spending time with his family. He loves history and nature, and hopes to encourage others to think critically about the relationships between nature and society.
Luke Jacobs
Luke Jacobs started as a camp volunteer and member of the Youth Guidance Team at Leslie Science & Nature Center. He went on to work as a seasonal Summer Camp educator while studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, and has now joined the organization year-round as part of the Education team.
Luke Jacobs started as a camp volunteer and member of the Youth Guidance Team at Leslie Science & Nature Center. He went on to work as a seasonal Summer Camp educator while studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, and has now joined the organization year-round as part of the Education team.
Emily Ng
Emily Ng joined our team in June 2025 for summer camp and quickly discovered her passion for education. As a Michigan native, she grew up surrounded by nature and enjoys both exploring and helping to conserve it. In her free time, Emily loves reading, going to concerts, playing video games, and testing new recipes in the kitchen. She is excited to educate and support the next generation of learners!
Emily Ng joined our team in June 2025 for summer camp and quickly discovered her passion for education. As a Michigan native, she grew up surrounded by nature and enjoys both exploring and helping to conserve it. In her free time, Emily loves reading, going to concerts, playing video games, and testing new recipes in the kitchen. She is excited to educate and support the next generation of learners!
Katy Hunter
Katy Hunter is an astronomer, Connecticut native, and U of M graduate. In her free time, she reads, plays ultimate frisbee, does an assortment of crafts, and watches soccer. They love ice cream, Spiderman, and the color blue.
Katy Hunter is an astronomer, Connecticut native, and U of M graduate. In her free time, she reads, plays ultimate frisbee, does an assortment of crafts, and watches soccer. They love ice cream, Spiderman, and the color blue.
Porsha Baughley
Porsha Merolla is a senior at Eastern Michigan University, studying Interdisciplinary Environmental Social Science with a concentration in Society. Porsha says when she comes to work she “can't wait to help kids become excited about science and learn new facts about our environment and wildlife!”
Porsha Baughey is a senior at Eastern Michigan University, studying Interdisciplinary Environmental Social Science with a concentration in Society. Porsha says when she comes to work she “can't wait to help kids become excited about science and learn new facts about our environment and wildlife!”