Pine Bush welcomed representatives from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Wednesday morning as the federal agency recognized the accomplishments of Pine Bush High School students who developed and produced hardware for the International Space Station (ISS) and looked forward to this year’s project.
Students at the Haas Innovation Center at PBHS were chosen last year to be part of the NASA HUNCH program – High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware. The students worked with NASA engineers last spring to design and machine a bracket for a cube satellite deployer for the ISS.
“The HUNCH program offers our students an opportunity to dream big – just like the pioneers of space exploration did – and to contribute to some of the most groundbreaking work being done today,” said Interim Superintendent of Schools Amy Brockner to the group assembled. “Through this program, they gain invaluable skills, hands-on experience, and the kind of critical thinking that will propel them into the future.”
One of Four New York High Schools Selected for the HUNCH program
Pine Bush High School Principal Aaron Hopmayer greeted all who filled the classroom at the Haas Innovation Center at PBHS for the ceremony and reminded them Pine Bush was only the fourth high school in New York to be chosen to participate in the HUNCH program. The other three schools are BOCES programs, a nod to the exceptional STEAM program here in Pine Bush.
Gathered for the ceremony were Dr. Florence Gold and William Gibson, representatives from NASA, district administrators, PBHS teachers, local, county and representatives for state officials, local police, representatives from our armed forces partners and, of course, students from the engineering program.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus offered his congratulations to the students for being chosen for the HUNCH project and to the district for its engineering and manufacturing program.
Board of education President Gretchen Meier and trustee Erik Buckley were present for the ceremony. Ms. Meier shared how the PBHS Excelsior Engineering program was born out of necessity back in 2013. Coming out of a recession that gutted the high school’s electives, a group of families contacted Principal Hopmayer and asked for a program that would challenge their students and keep them engaged and in district instead of looking for a program at BOCES. That’s how Excelsior came into being. Her daughter was among the first students to be influenced by the rigorous and demanding curriculum.
Elias Blumrath, a 2024 Pine Bush High School graduate who worked on the project last spring and now attends Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), returned to Pine Bush to attend the gathering. He said he realized how “incredibly lucky” we are here to have the equipment and instruction we do in the Haas Innovation Center. “No one there has the equipment we have,” said Elias. “You graduate here with a full Haas certification. It really gives you a leg up.”
A Different Experience
Kenneth Marshall, secondary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) coach and technology department chairperson, talked about how this experience was different from anything else they have done. “You’ve got to get it perfect for NASA,” he said.
Dr. Gold, HUNCH project manager, and Mr. Gibson, NASA senior hardware specialist, congratulated the students who worked on this project last spring and shared information about this year’s project as well. She told the students there are high expectations when working for NASA but they shouldn’t be intimidated by that. Instead, let it foster resilience.
“You never know what’s going to happen with high expectations,” she said. “Be resilient and try again and again. Learn how to be resilient. You’ve got to keep trying. Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up!”
The part this group will create is vital to the launch of satellites that affect all of us every day, she said. Those satellites control the internet.
And now begins year two of the HUNCH program at Pine Bush High School. Following the ceremony, Dr. Gold and Mr. Gibson led a training session for this year’s students. She impressed upon them the importance of detailed and accurate documentation to go along with the project.
PBHS STEAM Program Continues to Grow
Principal Aaron Hopmayer has been a leader in the development of the manufacturing center at PBHS and its STEAM program. He was instrumental in the evolution of the Haas Innovation Center, garnering a $250,000 grant to expand it and add essential equipment for our students, in addition to numerous scholarships.
“The Pine Bush STEAM program is nationally recognized and that is due, in part, to the amazing partnerships our schools has been able to formulate,” said Mr. Hopmayer.
Those partnerships include many with local and regional manufacturing companies that have provided valuable experiences for our students. Now, NASA is one of those valued partnerships.
Students created plaques for many of the speakers as well as their program partners, with Mr. Marshall presenting them.
Mr. Hopmayer said these real-world projects through HUNCH have enabled students to collaborate with NASA engineers to design and build prototypes. The partnership has encouraged creative problem-solving and innovation in real engineering scenarios. This experience has given students amazing exposure, providing them with hands-on experiences in engineering, science and technology. What a great item to have on a student’s resume or college application!
The Power of HUNCH
According to the NASA HUNCH website, “the HUNCH mission is to empower and inspire students through a project-based learning program where high school students learn 21st-century skills and have the opportunity to launch their careers through participation in the design and fabrication of real-world valued products for NASA.”
Learn more about the Pine Bush High School Haas Innovation Center:
Pine Bush High School receives $250K grant from Gene Haas Foundation
PBHS adds state-of-the-art UMC-500SS to Gene Haas Innovation Center
Students graduate intensive advanced manufacturing academy with Haas certification
Tech students create unique Strider bike at Haas Innovation Center – all for a great cause