Industry pros mentor engineering interns from Bob Jones
Enrolled in the engineering internship class, senior Jordan Jackson at Bob Jones High School designed and 3D-printed a payload delivery system to attach to a drone. CONTRIBUTED
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
3:51 pm Thursday, December 17, 2020

Industry pros mentor engineering interns from Bob Jones

MADISON – Industry professionals mentored Bob Jones High School seniors during their internship assignments to local companies and manufacturers.

The engineering interns completed 12 weeks with local employers. Designated employees at host companies helped students, who engaged in real-world work experience, tours and shadowing.

“I am so proud of our Fall 2020 Senior Design Internship Class students,” Jessye Gaines said. “The amount of flexibility, creativity, maturity and independence they have demonstrated this semester has been spectacular.” Gaines is Director of Bob Jones Engineering Academy.

Bob Jones Internship Class completed virtual training with career coach Carla Cobb. This semester, Cobb specialized her training in interview etiquette during virtual exchange.

Seniors delivered their final presentations on Dec. 15-16 live via the WebEx platform:

Clayton Sanders studied concussion diagnosis and detection systems with mentor Kris Kasprzak at Siemens. Jonathan Byers developed scheduling skills for Amazon Echo Dot by using Alexa Developer Console with mentor Steve Mays at SAIC.

At Engineering Research & Consulting or ERC, expert Joe McKenzie assisted senior Scott Reid in modular desk design and building. Student Quinn Burgess explored vehicle interior optimization with Tara RuthAnn Sprinkle at Combat Capabilities Development Command with the U.S. Army.

Jake Palenapa designed a rocket nozzle with guidance from Chris Brown at Missile Defense Agency. Jay Dickerson designed, CAD-modeled, 3D-printed and launched a model rocket system with NASA expert Erick Ordonez.

For his project, Joe Palenapa created and constructed a remote-controlled glider with mentor Kyle Groundwater at Crossflow Technologies. John Digges experimented with rocket cost efficiency with NASA professional David Teare.

Andrew Girgis re-designed a helicopter rotor blade with support from Paul Lambertson at The Boeing Company. Jordan Jackson CAD-modeled and 3D-printed a drone payload attachment, guided by Rhonda Fykes at Northrop Grumman.

Nick Owen modernized the Nissan 240SX with advice from Andrea Alexander with Ford Motors. Easten Phillips experimented with automated farming with help from Amarie Whetten at Raytheon Technologies.

Sam Glover worked at building a mechanical arm with Charles Moore at Raytheon Technologies. Josh Merritt designed and built a hovercraft, guided by Patrick Roesner at Boeing.

Dwight Ware automated a compost bin with assistance from Jeromy Lambert with Ascend Performance Materials. Stephen Mays 3D-printed a prosthetic hand with SAIC expert Nicholas Whiting. Katrina Pedrahas designed a dog-care robot with NASA tutor Mark Krome.

Also on The Madison Record
Lady Patriots to play for State Championship
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Bob Labbe 
March 5, 2026
The Bob Jones Lady Patriots are exactly where they expected prior to the start of the 2025-2026 season of high school basketball after they advanced t...
Mayor forms Small Business Advisory Council
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
MADISON WEEKLY
Gregg Parker 
March 4, 2026
MADISON – Last week, Madison Mayor Ranae Bartlett checked off a top priority on her inauguration to-do list: formation of the Mayor’s Small Business A...
Lady Patriots advance to Class 7A Final Four on Thursday
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Bob Jones will play in the Class 7A Semi-Finals on Thursday at 9 a.m.
Bob Labbe 
March 4, 2026
HARVEST - The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s annual Basketball State Tournament is set for this week with one local team making the Final ...
Library adds laser cutter with grant from Madison Visionary Partners
Lifestyles, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
March 4, 2026
MADISON – A Community Impact Grant for $1,750 from Madison Visionary Partners or MVP has helped Madison Public Library in purchasing a laser cutter fo...
Tennessee Valley chapter named AAAA National Super Chapter of the Year
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Special to THE RECORD news@themadisonrecord.com 
March 4, 2026
HUNTSVILLE - The Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Army Aviation Association of America has been named the AAAA National Super Chapter of the Year, a to...
25 MCS educators qualify as National Board Certified Teacher, 11 renew status
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
March 4, 2026
MADISON – A new set of educators in Madison City Schools have attained NBCT status, considered the most respected professional certification available...
Principal Kristin Kolenich prepares for Russell Branch’s fall opening
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
March 4, 2026
MADISON - Kristin Kolenich does not take the responsibility of her job lightly. Kolenich is Principal of Russell Branch Elementary School. “It is not ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *