About SEALS Academy
Two instructors. Two branches. One goal: competition-ready students.
SEALS Academy exists because we believe students perform better with focused, expert coaching — not broad, generic STEM enrichment. We built this program around two specialized branches, each led by an instructor who lives and breathes their discipline.
Our story
Why we started SEALS Academy.
Behind our academy is a story of curiosity, passion, and a shared dream between a brother and sister. From a young age, Eric showed an extraordinary gift for engineering and physics — he built, tested, and pushed ideas further. Rockets, in particular, captured his imagination. Watching him, his younger sister Amy grew up surrounded by sketches, experiments, and late-night problem-solving. What began as admiration soon became her own passion for science and aerospace.
As they advanced in their learning, they both discovered something frustrating: while there were many classes that taught theory, there were very few mentors who had real competition experience — people who could guide students through the full journey of designing, building, and successfully launching rockets for competitions like ARC or tackling challenges like Science Olympiad.
They realized that many students like them had the same passion — but lacked the guidance to turn that passion into real achievement. So they decided to change that.
Together, as co-founders, they created this academy — not just as a place to learn, but as a place where students can experience what they once searched for: hands-on mentorship, real-world engineering challenges, and a clear path from curiosity to competition.
Why these two branches
ARC and Science Olympiad reward different kinds of excellence.
ARC (American Rocketry Challenge)
The American Rocketry Challenge is an engineering competition. Students design, build, and fly rockets to meet specific altitude and payload targets. It rewards iteration, precision fabrication, and the discipline to test before you fly. Eric's branch teaches students to think like engineers — measure, revise, improve — through a real build-test-fly cycle.
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is a multi-event academic competition spanning life science, physical science, earth science, and technology. Students need deep content knowledge, sharp test-taking strategy, and reliable builds — often across five or more events per tournament. Amy's branch gives students the structured preparation and event-specific coaching that school practice alone rarely provides.
Meet the founders
The people behind SEALS Academy.
Co-Founder & Lead Instructor
Eric
ARC / Rocketry Program Lead
Eric is a senior at Portola High School with a proven track record in the air and on the launchpad. He serves as the avionics compartment co-lead for a NASA Student Launch Initiative (SLI) team, specializing in engine and airframe construction. He is a NAR L1 certified high-powered rocket license holder, with his qualification flight reaching an apogee of 1500 ft. Eric is fluent in several CAD software packages including Fusion 360, Onshape, and Solidworks. On campus, he shares his passion for flight as the founder and president of the Aviation & Aerospace Club, providing 80+ members opportunities to tour rocket facilities such as JPL and RocketLabs, in addition to hands-on design and build activities with model RC planes. Eric's coursework complements his rocketry expertise, having taken Multivariable Calculus and Aerospace Engineering in his junior year and AP Physics 1 as a sophomore, and he is currently studying AP Physics C in his senior year.
Teaching philosophy
From a young age, Eric showed an extraordinary gift for engineering and physics. He was the kind of student who didn't just learn concepts — he built, tested, and pushed ideas further. Rockets, in particular, captured his imagination. As he advanced in his learning, he discovered something frustrating: while there were many classes that taught theory, there were very few mentors who had real competition experience — people who could guide students through the full journey of designing, building, and successfully launching rockets for competitions like ARC.
Specialties
- NASA SLI team avionics compartment co-lead
- NAR L1 certified — qualification flight at 1500 ft apogee
- Founder & president of Aviation & Aerospace Club (80+ members)
Co-Founder & Lead Instructor
Amy
Science Olympiad Program Lead
Amy is a freshman at Orange County School of the Arts within the Instrumental Music Piano conservatory. She has spent several years developing a deep understanding of environmental science through competitive events such as the Science Olympiad. She is a four-year varsity student and has participated in state-qualifying and national-champion teams. She has earned high placings at invitationals, regionals, and states, accumulating over 70 medals. In addition to her academic work, Amy has taken initiative in mentoring and tutoring other students who struggle with scientific concepts, helping them build confidence and understanding. She has recorded lectures and created quizzes for Science Olympiad courses, as well as taught Division A students in an environmental science-related event over the course of 2 months. She is highly organized, detail-oriented, and known for her ability to respond quickly and communicate clearly, especially in client-facing and collaborative environments.
Teaching philosophy
Watching her brother, Amy grew up surrounded by sketches, experiments, and late-night problem-solving. What began as admiration soon became her passion for science and aerospace. As she advanced in her learning, she discovered the same frustration: there were very few mentors who had real competition experience. She realized that many students like her had the same passion — but lacked the guidance to turn that passion into real achievement. So together with her brother, she decided to change that.
Specialties
- Four-year varsity Science Olympiad competitor
- Over 70 medals at invitationals, regionals, and states
- State-qualifying and national-champion team member
What we believe
The principles behind how we teach.
Specialization over breadth
We focus deeply on two disciplines rather than spreading thin across every STEM topic. Students get expert coaching, not general enrichment.
Competition as motivation
Real competitions give students deadlines, standards, and stakes. We use that structure to drive focused, purposeful learning.
Preparation builds confidence
Anxiety comes from uncertainty. Structured practice, mock tests, and iterative builds help students feel ready.
Instructor credibility
Both instructors bring real competition experience and technical depth — not just teaching credentials, but hands-on expertise.
For parents
Why families trust SEALS Academy.
Small group, supervised sessions
All classes are small-group and in-person, with structured lesson plans and direct instructor supervision throughout every session.
Open communication with parents
We keep parents informed with progress updates, session recaps, and direct access to instructors via email or WeChat.
Safe, organized environment
All rocket launches follow NAR safety guidelines. Materials, tools, and equipment are instructor-managed. Students focus on learning, not logistics.
Young instructors, real expertise
Eric and Amy are young — but they bring verified competition credentials, real teaching experience, and the kind of peer-level mentorship that resonates with students.
Work with us
Find the right path for your student or team.
Whether you are looking for rocketry training or Science Olympiad coaching, we can help you get started.