Meet the 2015 SL Team
Name: Brian Hastings
Position: Physics Instructor and Head Coach
I have been a teacher at Spring Grove for 19 years, teaching Physics 1, Physics 1 Honors, and AP Physics 1 and 2. I have an Honors B.A. in secondary education Physics, a masters in science education and 60 graduate credits past my Masters Degree. I have taught graduate courses to teachers and for the past 15 years have taught fast -paced high school physics for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for talented youth program. As a Rocket Scientists’ coach, I have started a Science Olympiad team, a Vex Robotics Team, Physics Olympics Team, and a Team America Rocketry Challenge Team. The Science Olympiad team has advanced to the state level each of the last ten years. We have been participating in TARC for 9 years and have advanced to Nationals each of the past 6 years, placing fourth overall at Nationals in 2012, and eighth at the Nationals in 2013. I am a NAR member and have a level 1 certification. Currently I am building a rocket for level 2 NAR certification.
Name: Renee Eaton
Position: Biology Teacher and Assistant Coach
I have been a Biology teacher at Spring Grove High School since 2009. Since then, I have coached the Marching Band and Junior High Track and Field and have advised the Gay-Straight Alliance, Science Fair participants, and the Envirothon team. In addition, I have been a member of the York Jaycees, a local community service organization, since 2009. I finished my Master’s degree in Classroom Technology in 2013. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, hiking, biking, reading, and training for 5K races and half-marathons. I am a NAR member and have a level 1 certification. Currently I am building a rocket for level 2 NAR certification.
Name: Wyatt (Team Co-Captain-Payload Head)
Age: 17
Grade: 12
Position: Team Co-Captain and Payload Leader
In fourth grade, I participated in my first competition, Math 24, and became the champion for my school. I advanced through the county competition to the state competition, where I received a bronze medal. I became a “rocket scientist” at Spring Grove in eighth grade, when I joined Science Olympiad. I have been in Science Olympiad ever since, and we have advanced to the State competition every year since. My sophomore year was my first for both TARC and the SLP. In my first year with NASA I learned so much and being able to work with the top people in the field, I was able to prepare for becoming an Aerospace Engineer. These experiences taught me how to work with a team, working on a tight schedule, and leadership, among other things, and am ready for another year to work with NASA.
Name: Kyle (Team Co-Captain-Electronics Bay Head)
Age: 17
Grade: 12
Position: Team Co-Captain and Electronics Bay Leader
As a student I am involved in many activities throughout the school. I am a part of the Science Olympiad team that has made it to States' the past 5 years in a row including a 12th place finish in 2013. I am a part of TARC and am currently working with my team as a captain, and last year at my first nationals' was able to place a respectable 39th. This year I get to work with Wyatt and become a Co-Captain from our past experience with the SL Program in 2012 and good finishes in TARC. The Student Launch Program is a great experience for all of us and I plan to use the experience in my future clinical labs and use it to further my education in science. In the future I plan to get a bachelors' degree in Chemistry or Mechanical Engineering from either The University of Pittsburgh or Bucknell University.
Name: Josh (Budget and Funding plan)
Age: 16
Grade: 11
I became interested in science when I joined the Envirothon team in 7th grade. I began taking part in Science Olympiad the following year and have made it to the State competition each year since joining the team. I started learning about rockets in my freshmen year when I took part in Team America Rocket Challenge. I am also a member of the book club, German American Partnership Program, and I have played violin since 3rd grade. This year, I am looking forward to being a SL team member.
Name: Jake (Student Safety Officer)
Age: 18
Grade:12
Position: Head Safety Officer and E-Bay Worker
I became a “Rocket Scientist” in 4th Grade by joining Envirothon. I have been doing Envirothon ever since then and was the captain of the team last year. Also last year I became a member of our Science Olympiad team, TARC team, and High powered rocketry team. In Science Olympiad we won the regional competition and advanced to the state competition. My TARC team qualified for Nationals and competed against 100 teams around the nation. Our high powered rocketry team launched a 38lb, 6in diameter rocket to an apogee of 5955 feet. All of these rocketry experiences have helped me develop my teamwork skills as well as learn many key concepts of engineering.
Name(s): Sarah H. and Sarah E. (Educational Engagement)
Age: 17
Grade: 12
(Right): This is my first year participating in both Student Launch (SL) and Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC). I am involved in other school activities including National Honor Society, the German-American Partnership Program, Spring Grove Choral Ensembles, Expressions, and Globetrekkors. My out-of-school activities include Midstate Ballet, Greater York Dance, and National Honor Society for Dace Arts. I dance pre-professionally over 20 hours a week. I got involved with the rocketry program because I loved physics class and I wanted to explore the engineering field before deciding on a college major. Math was always my favorite subject in school because it is black and white. The answer is either right or wrong; it is simple and precise. I think my involvement in SL and TARC will allow me to utilize my math skills, apply them to my life, and have fun in the process.
(Left): As a student of Spring Grove Area High School, I have been involved in many extracurricular activities such as Student Launch Program, Team America Rocketry Challenge, Choir, Drama Club, International Thespian Society, National Honor Society, Administrative Technology Teaching, Symphonic Band, as well as dance outside of school. I had recently joined the SL program this year after joining TARC the previous year and making it to nationals with my team. In TARC, I am the team captain of an all girl team and I am the only girl involved in this year’s Administrative technology Teaching. After school I plan on attending college majoring in Biology and following a pre-medical route.
Name: Gavin (Safety and Payload)
Age: 16
Grade: 11
Throughout my school career I was always interested in the sciences. It wasn't until 10th grade when my Physics teacher introduced the rocket programs at our school. I started my 10th grade year and I was quick to join again this year and take it to the next step by joining the SL team. My first year in TARC, Team America Rocketry Challenge, we made it to nationals and finished highest out of all the teams from our school. That year got me interested in all the science related clubs and activities and hope to expand my horizons even more this year.Other than SL and TARC, I'm on the soccer team which takes up a lot of my time in the fall season. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to be on the Spring Grove SL team.
Name: Brian Hastings
Position: Physics Instructor and Head Coach
I have been a teacher at Spring Grove for 19 years, teaching Physics 1, Physics 1 Honors, and AP Physics 1 and 2. I have an Honors B.A. in secondary education Physics, a masters in science education and 60 graduate credits past my Masters Degree. I have taught graduate courses to teachers and for the past 15 years have taught fast -paced high school physics for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for talented youth program. As a Rocket Scientists’ coach, I have started a Science Olympiad team, a Vex Robotics Team, Physics Olympics Team, and a Team America Rocketry Challenge Team. The Science Olympiad team has advanced to the state level each of the last ten years. We have been participating in TARC for 9 years and have advanced to Nationals each of the past 6 years, placing fourth overall at Nationals in 2012, and eighth at the Nationals in 2013. I am a NAR member and have a level 1 certification. Currently I am building a rocket for level 2 NAR certification.
Name: Renee Eaton
Position: Biology Teacher and Assistant Coach
I have been a Biology teacher at Spring Grove High School since 2009. Since then, I have coached the Marching Band and Junior High Track and Field and have advised the Gay-Straight Alliance, Science Fair participants, and the Envirothon team. In addition, I have been a member of the York Jaycees, a local community service organization, since 2009. I finished my Master’s degree in Classroom Technology in 2013. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, hiking, biking, reading, and training for 5K races and half-marathons. I am a NAR member and have a level 1 certification. Currently I am building a rocket for level 2 NAR certification.
Name: Wyatt (Team Co-Captain-Payload Head)
Age: 17
Grade: 12
Position: Team Co-Captain and Payload Leader
In fourth grade, I participated in my first competition, Math 24, and became the champion for my school. I advanced through the county competition to the state competition, where I received a bronze medal. I became a “rocket scientist” at Spring Grove in eighth grade, when I joined Science Olympiad. I have been in Science Olympiad ever since, and we have advanced to the State competition every year since. My sophomore year was my first for both TARC and the SLP. In my first year with NASA I learned so much and being able to work with the top people in the field, I was able to prepare for becoming an Aerospace Engineer. These experiences taught me how to work with a team, working on a tight schedule, and leadership, among other things, and am ready for another year to work with NASA.
Name: Kyle (Team Co-Captain-Electronics Bay Head)
Age: 17
Grade: 12
Position: Team Co-Captain and Electronics Bay Leader
As a student I am involved in many activities throughout the school. I am a part of the Science Olympiad team that has made it to States' the past 5 years in a row including a 12th place finish in 2013. I am a part of TARC and am currently working with my team as a captain, and last year at my first nationals' was able to place a respectable 39th. This year I get to work with Wyatt and become a Co-Captain from our past experience with the SL Program in 2012 and good finishes in TARC. The Student Launch Program is a great experience for all of us and I plan to use the experience in my future clinical labs and use it to further my education in science. In the future I plan to get a bachelors' degree in Chemistry or Mechanical Engineering from either The University of Pittsburgh or Bucknell University.
Name: Josh (Budget and Funding plan)
Age: 16
Grade: 11
I became interested in science when I joined the Envirothon team in 7th grade. I began taking part in Science Olympiad the following year and have made it to the State competition each year since joining the team. I started learning about rockets in my freshmen year when I took part in Team America Rocket Challenge. I am also a member of the book club, German American Partnership Program, and I have played violin since 3rd grade. This year, I am looking forward to being a SL team member.
Name: Jake (Student Safety Officer)
Age: 18
Grade:12
Position: Head Safety Officer and E-Bay Worker
I became a “Rocket Scientist” in 4th Grade by joining Envirothon. I have been doing Envirothon ever since then and was the captain of the team last year. Also last year I became a member of our Science Olympiad team, TARC team, and High powered rocketry team. In Science Olympiad we won the regional competition and advanced to the state competition. My TARC team qualified for Nationals and competed against 100 teams around the nation. Our high powered rocketry team launched a 38lb, 6in diameter rocket to an apogee of 5955 feet. All of these rocketry experiences have helped me develop my teamwork skills as well as learn many key concepts of engineering.
Name(s): Sarah H. and Sarah E. (Educational Engagement)
Age: 17
Grade: 12
(Right): This is my first year participating in both Student Launch (SL) and Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC). I am involved in other school activities including National Honor Society, the German-American Partnership Program, Spring Grove Choral Ensembles, Expressions, and Globetrekkors. My out-of-school activities include Midstate Ballet, Greater York Dance, and National Honor Society for Dace Arts. I dance pre-professionally over 20 hours a week. I got involved with the rocketry program because I loved physics class and I wanted to explore the engineering field before deciding on a college major. Math was always my favorite subject in school because it is black and white. The answer is either right or wrong; it is simple and precise. I think my involvement in SL and TARC will allow me to utilize my math skills, apply them to my life, and have fun in the process.
(Left): As a student of Spring Grove Area High School, I have been involved in many extracurricular activities such as Student Launch Program, Team America Rocketry Challenge, Choir, Drama Club, International Thespian Society, National Honor Society, Administrative Technology Teaching, Symphonic Band, as well as dance outside of school. I had recently joined the SL program this year after joining TARC the previous year and making it to nationals with my team. In TARC, I am the team captain of an all girl team and I am the only girl involved in this year’s Administrative technology Teaching. After school I plan on attending college majoring in Biology and following a pre-medical route.
Name: Gavin (Safety and Payload)
Age: 16
Grade: 11
Throughout my school career I was always interested in the sciences. It wasn't until 10th grade when my Physics teacher introduced the rocket programs at our school. I started my 10th grade year and I was quick to join again this year and take it to the next step by joining the SL team. My first year in TARC, Team America Rocketry Challenge, we made it to nationals and finished highest out of all the teams from our school. That year got me interested in all the science related clubs and activities and hope to expand my horizons even more this year.Other than SL and TARC, I'm on the soccer team which takes up a lot of my time in the fall season. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to be on the Spring Grove SL team.