FOUNDING TEACHER
Brett Williams has developed and taught the SystemsGo Aeroscience program at Fredericksburg High School since 1996.
A graduate of Texas A&M University, Williams has an extensive background in marine biology and environmental studies. He conducted field work with the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Texas Institute of Oceanography, along with consulting with AMOCO, Entrix, Mitsubishi, and other Fortune 500 companies.
After earning his Texas Teacher Certification, Williams taught Principles of Technology, Research and Development, Mechanical Drafting, and Architectural Drafting. Through this experience he began developing the concepts and practices that would form the foundation for the SystemsGo Aeroscience program.
"This is the pinnacle of what we have been working on when it comes to problem-based education in America," Williams said. "We see students inspired to enter engineering fields, to step up and make a difference in our country."
Honors & Awards
• Outstanding Coach - Odyssey of the Mind 1997
• Star of Texas Governor's Award - First successful launch and breaking the sound barrier at U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range by high school students 1999
• Teacher of the Year - Fredericksburg High School 2001
• Space News, Washington D.C. recognition for development of high school program with global impact 2001
• NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center's Directors Commendation 2002
• H.E. B. Rising Star Award for Excellence in Teaching 2003
• AIAA National Educator Award for Aeroscience program 2003
Publications
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA-2003-5195); Jake Neu, Brett Williams: Flight of the Redbird 10-H
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA-2005-4090); Sayers Arnecke, Brett Williams: Flight of the Redbirds
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA-2005-3907); Chris Pratt, Brett Williams: The Fredericksburg High School Aeroscience Program - Nozzle and Fuel Grain Material Study
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA-2005-3518); Benjamin Williams, Brett Williams: The Fredericksburg High School Aeroscience Program
While speaking at a meeting of national experts selected to discuss President Bush's Moon to Mars mission, Brett Williams voiced the critical need to re-engage students in order to develop engineers. Commissioner Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director of New York's Hayden Planetarium, noted, "Here we are talking about cloning the program when I wonder if the more important question is whether we can clone you."
