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
Bob Jones cruises in Top 10 volleyball clash
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
MIKE EASTERLING 
August 28, 2026
MADISON – Bob Jones moved up one spot in the first volleyball regular season rankings released Thursday, then showed it was worthy of the lofty spot w...
42nd Ironman volleyball gets under way today
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
MIKE EASTERLING 
August 28, 2026
HUNTSVILLE – Three local volleyball teams will be in action at the annual Ironman Tournament at Huntsville High School today and Saturday. James Cleme...
Mayor Bartlett hopes philanthropist to name park in west Madison
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
MADISON WEEKLY
Gregg Parker 
August 26, 2026
MADISON – Did you ever want to name a park? Here’s your chance. On Aug. 20, Madison Planning Commission approved the idea to add a park in the western...
Jets hit the ground running in the 2026 season opener
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Cross Country 2026 Opener
Bob Labbe 
August 26, 2026
MADISON - The James Clemens cross country program opened its 2026 season with an impressive showing at the First Chance 2-Miler, hosted by Bob Jones H...
Mistakes doom Bob Jones in Parker’s coaching debut
b-Sports, Madison County Record, News, ...
MIKE EASTERLING 
August 26, 2026
HARTSELLE – Things began good enough for visiting Bob Jones in its first game under head coach Seth Parker. A largely inexperienced team with a freshm...
James Clemens start fast in road rout of Austin
b-Sports, Madison County Record, News, ...
MIKE EASTERLING 
August 26, 2026
DECATUR – James Clemens and Austin have split regional games the past two seasons with five points total deciding the issue. With this year’s realignm...
City unveils road projects slated using Rebuild Alabama Act funds
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
MARIA RAKOCZY mailto:maria@themadisonrecord.com maria@themadisonrecord.com 
August 25, 2026
MADISON - Madison leaders revealed plans for road improvements in 2027 using Rebuild Alabama Act (2019) Gas Tax funds at Monday’s Madison City Council...
A beloved Madison school teacher: Miss Hessie Gillespie
Lifestyles, Madison County Record, News, ...
EXPLORING LOCAL HISTORY WITH MARIA
Maria Rakoczy 
August 25, 2026
MADISON - Continuing the back-to-school spirit, this week’s article explores the life of a beloved Madison school teacher, Nancy Hesseltine Gillespie ...

Leave a Reply

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