PHS Aerospace and Engineering

08/19/2026

After 30 years at Plantation High, I have decided to transfer to West Broward High. I am still teaching aerospace and physics there so there will still be lots to follow if you are interested. I'll send a new page when I make one.

I am leaving this page as-is, in case former students or families want to pull pictures. There will be no more PHS aerospace updates on this page however.

We started launching rockets in my physics class in 2003 and we were winning national competitions since 2005.

Thank you all for your support for PHS aerospace for the last 23 years!

Sincerely,
Joe Vallone

09/04/2025

Former students, who participated in NASA's Student Launch, is still near the space coast/central Florida region, and is working in STEM fields? Spread the message and please get in touch.

04/12/2025

To my former students,

I am approaching my 30th year teaching at Plantation, with over 20 years of PHS Aerospace.

I've always kept our special projects as motivation and examples for the next group to come in, but it's time to start letting go.

We haven't been competitive at TARC since we lost the launch site after COVID. Last year was our last year with NASA SLI since they cancelled the 'journeyman" availability. We can only participate through TARC now.

We had a great run, with each one of you contributing in some special way. If there is anything special from your time in PHS Aerospace that you'd like, please let me know. We'll make arrangements for you to get it.

We have all the SLI half and full scale rockets, the TARC finals rockets, and some payloads. I also have all the annual NASA SLI banners and some of our presentation posters.

The rockets have had all their motors, recovery, and electronics removed. They are pretty much decorative now and would not be able to be flown. (That's my Legal disclaimer -- you guys know how to make anything fly with enough APCP!)

I'd like to keep a few, but not all! I also want to keep the trophies, for now.

Get in touch soon! Miss you guys!!

04/13/2024

Video of our flight

04/13/2024

What a day! Successful launch so we got to eat our Zebra Cakes!

04/12/2024

Our launch is tomorrow. Here's what we've done so far....

10/05/2021

Our proposal for has been accepted to design, build, and launch a high power rocket to measure the albedo of different environments! We can't wait to get back into action!!

07/20/2021

We are slowly moving back to full launch capability!

10/20/2020

Hey everyone! Please share this link and help our student project manager win scholarship money!

Would you like to learn more about Round 3 - Awareness as well as Drivers Ed and Traffic School Online courses?

02/12/2020

Congrats to Orion, who won first place (and cash!) in the Engineer for a Day essay contest. His win continues a 3 year PHS winning streak.