Clare Patchett ’26 Excels at the Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology at Rutgers University

Clare Patchett ’26 was recently selected as one of only 64 students from across New Jersey to attend the Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET) at Rutgers University—one of the most competitive and prestigious STEM programs in the state. This intensive, residential summer program brings together some of New Jersey’s most talented and motivated high school students for a month of rigorous coursework, hands-on research, and immersive academic exploration in the field of engineering.

We caught up with Clare to learn more about her experience at GSET and how it’s shaping her goals for the future.

What inspired you to apply to the Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology?
I was motivated to apply to the Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology because it is considered to be one of New Jersey’s most prestigious STEM programs. This was a chance to take classes with like-minded students who share my passion for engineering, challenge myself in academics in new ways, and come out as a better individual and student. I also recognized it as an opportunity to establish a solid network of similar peers and mentors who might be able to guide and encourage me far beyond the program.

How did this experience shape your thoughts about pursuing engineering in college or as a career?
I have wanted to pursue mechanical engineering for years, but GSET reinforced this plan. Specifically, it helped me realize how much I enjoy interacting with people in this field. I was able to become close with the community of engineers there, and it solidified my passion for studying and eventually working in engineering in the long term.

What was it like working with peers who are just as passionate about STEM as you are?
It was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Surrounded by talented, hardworking students passionate about STEM pushing me to perform my best, I was pushed to work to my highest extent. I was also surprised by the collaborative and supportive culture that came from a group of so many competitive students.

What is your favorite memory from the program?
My favorite memory was in our robotics class. We were put in groups of 3-4 based on roommates (meaning that my group was all girls, which made this even more fulfilling). In the class, we collaborated to complete two main challenges. The first was to design a "bomb diffusing" robot that would navigate a line inside to enter a house, navigate within the house, then locate and remove a round "bomb". The second was a sumo wrestling match between robots. We actually won both competitions out of 17 competing teams, and were told that it was the first time in years that a single team had won both. It was such a powerful and rewarding experience!

Can you talk about the experience of living on a university campus for the duration of the program?
Living on campus offered me the responsibility of college life, including staying up all night doing research. I loved that all of our motivation had to come from within ourselves, and this made me even more enthusiastic about college.

Did you get to use any equipment or software that was new to you?
Yes - I was able to expand upon what I already knew of Python, and I learned LaTeX/Overleaf for the very first time. Being able to utilize professional software like these made our work seem even more realistic and applicable to what real researchers and engineers use within the field.

How do you plan to apply what you learned at GSET in your school or community?
I picked up a lot during this program, specifically in public speaking, teamwork, and leadership. Having the ability to present our research at a high-stakes symposium and collaborating with my peers made me more confident in taking leadership and being able to communicate effectively. I will bring these skills back to MBS, especially through project leading, group work, and public speaking.

One of the most meaningful aspects of Clare’s GSET experience was her participation in a small-group research project under the guidance of Rutgers professors and mentors. Her team’s project, “California PM2.5 Pollution: A Ground and Satellite-Based Data Analysis and Policy Investigation”, will be submitted to the MIT IEEE Undergraduate Research Technology Conference (URTC)—an international conference. If accepted, Clare and her team will have the opportunity to present their work on a global stage.

Congratulations to Clare for this incredible achievement and for representing MBS with such excellence in this prestigious program!