Course Instructors

BRIAN GRIGSBY

BIO:

Born and raised locally, graduated from Shasta High, received my B.S. degree in biology from Humboldt State University, Science teaching credential from Simpson University, Masters in Science Education from Chico State. 

Involved in science teaching since 1993:

  • Began working at Shasta High from 1993 through 2000.

  • Became the Schreder Planetarium director, science professional development coordinator, science program coordinator from 2000 through 2005.

  • From 2005 to 2008, I worked for NASA’s Mars Education Program at Arizona State University. While there, I developed NASA curriculum, conducted robotics trainings, and created distance learning programs.

  • Moved back to Redding in 2008, to teach HS science, and began the robotics program for Shasta Union High School Dist in 2009.

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  • Currently I teach Space Science/Engineering and Industrial Robotics at Shasta High.

  • I also am a co-coach of our VEX Robotics Competition team

From 2005-2016, I have coordinated various NASA programs:  

  1. Mars Exploration Student Data Teams: students conduct data analysis of spectral data from the CRISM instrument orbiting Mars

  2. Student Planetary Investigators: MiniRF—students analyze radar data from a NASA orbiter using the MiniRF instrument looking for areas near the poles for frozen water and future landing sites.

  3. Student Planetary Investigators: MESSENGER—students research surface images taken from the MESSENGER spacecraft orbiting Mercury.

Bret Barnes

BIO:

I was born and raised in Dunsmuir California. I graduated from Dunsmuir High School in 1986. After attending College of the Siskiyous for 2 years, I took a job as a Signalman for the Southern/Union Pacific Railroad and worked that job for 12 years.

In my mid 30’s, I felt called to become a teacher, so I sold my house, went back to college, and received my degree in Biology from Humboldt State University in 2005 and my teaching credential in 2006.

In 2017 I began the journey of getting my second credential in Engineering and Architecture. I attended engineering courses at Oregon Institute of Technology and University of Colorado and received my second teaching credential in 2021.

Teaching Experience:

  • 2006 – 2007: Roseburg High School (Oregon) – CP Biology/Life Science/JV Football Coach

  • 2007 – 2011: Virginia City High School (Nevada) – CP and AP Biology/Algebra/Media Technology/ Head Varsity Baseball Coach/Assistant Varsity Football Coach

  • 2011 – 2019: Central Valley High School – CP and AP Biology/Honors Physics/Introduction to Engineering Design/Principles of Engineering/Head Varsity Baseball Coach/Assistant Varsity Football Coach/VEX Robotics Coach

  • 2019 – Current: Shasta High School – Exploring Engineering/Advanced Manufacturing/CAD/CP Biology/VEX Robotics Coach.

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