Nutley student named to prestigious STEM program

A student from Nutley was named a Governor's STEM Scholar.

Kaelynn Ross, a sophomore at DePaul Catholic High School, was selected from among nearly 1,000 applicants from across the state, according to a press release, which said that these students represent some of the highest achieving students in New Jersey.

Governor's STEM Scholars (GSS) is a public-private partnership between the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, the Office of the Governor, the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education and public and private research institutions.

GSS works to sustain and strengthen New Jersey’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) talent pipeline by introducing the state’s STEM students to the R&D and STEM ecosystem.

New Jersey has the highest concentration of engineers and scientists per square mile in the United States, according to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Recognizing New Jersey’s rich talent pool, GSS serves as a bridge for talented STEM students to connect with research and STEM professionals within the industry, academia and government sectors.

“New Jersey’s long-tradition of innovation, from the invention of the lightbulb to the development of the first transistor, are powered by some of the best scientists, engineers and inventors in the world,” said Anthony Cicatiello, president of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. “Through the Governor’s STEM Scholars, we are able to support the next generation of innovators right here in the Garden State, ensuring a continued legacy of invention and discovery that will drive our economy into the future.”

Through conferences, field trips and research, Scholars are able to explore professional opportunities that can jumpstart their future STEM careers.

Scholars attend four conferences to explore the STEM sectors of industry, academia and government.

For the 2023-2024 programmatic year, these conferences will be held at Kean University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University and Rutgers University.

Additionally, Scholars build relationships with diverse STEM professionals by attending field trips and fireside chats at New Jersey companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Kenvue, Panasonic, PSEG, Stryker and United Airlines. Scholars participate in an engineering design research project that will enhance their analytical and 21st century skills. To qualify for GSS, applicants must have at least a 3.5 GPA, be a high school sophomore through doctorial-level student at a New Jersey-based high school or university and demonstrate a strong passion for STEM.

Other studets selected as Governor’s STEM Scholars included:

Nennin Toure, a senior at East Orange STEM Academy;

Cristina Altamirano, a college senior at Fairleigh Dickinson University;

Julissa Beltrán, a junior at Kent Place High School;

Kailan Campbell, is a sophomore, Andrés Jaquez Cruz, is a senior, and Ashley Noboa is a junior, at Essex County Schools of Technology Donald M. Payne;

Noor EL-Hawwat is a college senior and Alisson Lopez Donado is a junior at Rutgers University-Newark;

Jerrick Romero is a sophomore at Newark Tech Vocational High School;

Pari Narang is a sophomore at Livingston High School.