Mr. Anthony (Nino) Polizzi

I bring 30 years of experience from the aerospace industry into the classroom, creating an authentic engineering experience for students. 

“WORKING AT LEARNING” characterizes the Engineering Pathway at Samueli Academy where students are exposed to a wide variety of technical careers and trades in a “work-like” environment.  The overarching objective is:

Develop students’ skill in progressing from

 IDEA to DESIGN to PRODUCT developing resilience required to conquer new challenges 

While enhancing the ability to:

DESIGN a device that satisfies requirements;

BUILD that device through multiple iterations;

TEST the device and verify it satisfies requirements

REFLECT on this process and use this knowledge 

I worked at  McDonnell Douglas/Boeing, on a wide variety of programs including the International Space Station, Delta II rockets, the KC-10 Aerial refueling aircraft, Mast Mounted Sight (MMS) helicopter and the DC-X, the world’s first reusable, vertical landing rocket.  

Because of my concern with the state of technical education in America, I founded “Rocket Science Tutors” (RST), an all-volunteer non-profit organization conducting a 24-week, after-school program to improve STEM education by generating interest by putting real-life engineers and scientists in Santa Ana classrooms from 2005-2010..

I earned a BS Electrical Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and a BS Industrial Technology from Eastern Michigan University. I also have a Limited Service Credential for teaching Engineering at the community college level in California.

Teaching at Samueli Academy is an opportunity to expand my passion for exciting students about Engineering. I look forward to my 13th year at Samueli Academy, combining my industrial experience with Project-Based Learning and working with our team to make Samueli Academy the model of student-centered education.