Neil Behl is a Senior in high school and the Founder of Science Rocks!. He is the Head Science Coach. Neil enjoys teaching science because he loves seeing the “ah-ha” moments in young students eyes when they begin to understand that science can be easily learned and fun.

At a young age (K-8TH grade), Neil was fortunate to attend a school for “Gifted” kids called Science & Arts Academy (SAA). At SAA, Neil participated in innovative science curriculum and teaching techniques, which emphasized fun, experiential-based learning. Also, Neil participated as a member on the nationally ranked middle school Science Olympiad team for three years and frequently placed in regional, state, and national competitions.

While in high school, Neil’s academic highlights include being an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Merit Semifinalist while extracurricular highlights include receiving a Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award for his commitment to community service. Neil coaches a Middle School Science Olympiad’s Experimental Design team which frequently places in the State competition.

In Neil’s spare time he enjoys all things sports from playing tennis to fantasy football.

Owen Conlon is a Senior in high school living in Glenview, Illinois and a Coach at Science Rocks!. Owen’s favorite subject is Computer Science. He finds Computer Science fascinating as learning why and how computers work can be very interesting. Owen believes that kids should have exposure to a broad breadth of fields within the sciences to see what they really enjoy.

While In high school, Owen has taken AP Computer Science and studies Chinese. In middle school, Owen participated on the Science Olympiad team.

In Owen’s spare time, he enjoys skiing and freelance coding.

Owen enjoys being a Science Rocks! Science Coach because he likes giving kids exposure to the fun world of computer science. Many students don’t have access to engaging coding instruction and Owen likes filling this need.

Mac Devereux is a Senior in high school living in Winnetka, Illinois and a Coach at Science Rocks!. Mac’s favorite subject is Biology. He loves science because understanding how things work is empowering and explaining the concepts to kids is very fulfilling. Mac likes teaching science with a very “hands-on approach.”

While in high school, Mac has taken AP Biology and AP Chemistry. He is also studying AP Chinese. He also is a coach for the Middle School Science Olympiad team. In the summers, Mac teaches science at Camp Galileo. Mac plans to study marine biology in college and study abroad.

In Mac’s spare time he enjoys volunteering at “Paws for Partick” and playing golf and track.

Mac enjoys being a Science Rocks! Science Coach because he loves teaching kids science especially biology. He believes that “learning-by-doing” is a very engaging and effective way to teach science.

Sophia Green is a Senior in high school living in Highland Park, Illinois and a Coach at Science Rocks!. Science has always been Sophia’s favorite class because she gets a great satisfaction in developing a deeper understating of how things work. Sophia enjoys teaching Science because it is a great opportunity for her to share some of her science knowledge with the kids.

Sophia has taken Honors and AP classes in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Advanced Open Research. She has been a Middle School Science Olympiad Coach for four years. Sophia speaks Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. Sophia plans to study pre-med in college and has aspirations to be a Doctor.

In Sophia’s spare time, she enjoys volleyball and tennis.

Sophia enjoys being a Science Rocks! Science Coach because she likes to inspire kids to fall in love with science just like she did when she was younger.

Alan Plascencia is a Senior in High School, living in North Chicago. Alan is a Coach at Science Rocks!. Alan’s favorite subject is Biology. Alan has always been fascinated by how the world works and he believes Science provides a vehicle to answer these questions.

While in high school, Alan enjoys taking all types of sciences. Alan has taken Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

In Alan’s spare time, he enjoys track and working at the Catholic Church school teaching kids.

Alan enjoys being a Science Rocks! Science Coach because he strives to pass on the joy of learning science to the next generation. He loves to kindle the spirit of exploration and questioning within kids.

Noah Youderian is a Junior in High School living in Glencoe, IL and a Coach at Science Rocks!. Noah’s favorite subject is Chemistry. Noah is inspired by the world of science. Noah believes science has the answers to many questions on how things work.

While in high school, Noah enjoys taking all types of sciences. Noah has taken Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

In Noah’s spare time, he enjoys golf and working at a Hebrew school teaching kids ages five through fourteen

Noah enjoys being a Science Rocks! Science Coach because he enjoys teaching kids and showing them how science can be fun.