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West Orange High student recognized for Governor's School work and MIT conference acceptance
Summary
West Orange High senior Robeson Bennett presented his Governor's School project on a lunar workstation and was commended by the board after his group's work was accepted to the MIT IEEE undergraduate research conference. The board presented a certificate and fielded questions about STEM pathways.
Robeson Bennett, a senior at West Orange High School, presented his work from the New Jersey Governor's School in Technology and Engineering and was recognized by the West Orange Board of Education at its Sept. 16 meeting.
Superintendent Moore introduced Bennett and praised his selection for the residential Governor's School program and the competitive nature of the program. Principal Oscar Guerrero said Bennett's research, developed in partnership with NASA HUNCH, was selected for presentation and publishing at the MIT IEEE undergraduate research and technology conference after the team condensed its research for submission. "Please join me in celebrating Robeson's remarkable accomplishments and the bright future that lies ahead for him," Guerrero said.
At the podium, Bennett described the Governor's School experience, the application and nomination process and the project's technical scope. He said the team's CAD design focused on a lunar workstation that met NASA constraints — a 34-by-20-inch tabletop that required no sharp edges and adjustable height — and that the project required a 10-page research paper and a robotics design competition. "The hardest part was group projects," Bennett said, adding that the experience taught him teamwork and how to communicate with people who think differently.
Board members asked Bennett about pedagogical supports and recommended activities for younger students interested in STEM. Board member Stevenson and others praised the district's STEM pathways and confirmed that the district offers CAD and other engineering-focused courses. Moore and Guerrero encouraged families to explore programs and clubs, noting Bennett's role founding the school's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.
The board presented Bennett with a certificate of academic excellence and invited him and his family to join board members for a photo. The presentation was followed by routine business and public comment.
The board meeting documentation shows the district will continue work on curriculum and student pathways to broaden access to STEM opportunities.
