Honor Society® member
Nicholas Durant
Mentor (i.e. staff) at Einstein's Workshop - STEM Community Center - still working there • During school year (Junior and Senior year): weekend job as Mentor (i.e., staff) engaging kids in STEM activities and walking them through the engineering mindset, teaching them how to be makers, doers, and problem-solvers; Also helping Director design a brand-new Math Program based on my 5 years at Lexington Math Club • During summer: Camp counsellor teaching Scratch programming and Lego robotics to campers
- mechanical engineering
- Class of 2024
- Lexington, MA
Member since July 2023
About
I am an ambitious, determined, and hard-working aspiring engineer who is passionate about science, math, engineering, hands-on problem solving, and using my skills to make a difference in the world. My passion for STEM has shaped my studies, extracurricular activities, summer activities, employment, and career goals, and I want to use engineering to impact and improve the world. In addition, I'm also incredibly creative and have an entrepreneurial spirit which I‘ve nurtured with experiences like a business start-up camp, a year-long Quarter Zero entrepreneurial fellowship, and travels to Spain, Peru, Germany and England. I saw first-hand how engineers can change the world in connection with my trip to Peru for field work with the MIT Belcher Lab group who is working on a Clean Mining Solutions Project exploring inexpensive filtration of mining run-off that is polluting water in indigenous communities in Peru. That engineering project is making a difference in the world and it is the type of meaningful work I want to do as an engineer. I have been accepted into Northeastern University's mechanical engineering program and will be spending my first year in London, England in their London's Scholars Program.
Education
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Lawrence Academy
STEM
2021 – 2024
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Beaver Country Day School
STEM
2020 – 2021
Honors and awards
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High Honors
High Honors at both Lawrence Academy and Beaver Country Day School
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Internship at Belcher Lab (bioengineering lab) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Clean Mining Solutions Project
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Quarter Zero Fellowship - national entrepreneurial fellowship program
Selected for year-long entrepreneurial fellowship program; built upon work in Start-Up Camp; one-on-one mentorship with founder of program
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1st Place - Robotics Competition, Worcester Polytech's 2023 Frontiers Pre-Collegiate Program
Attended two-week residential program at WPI’s Frontiers Pre-Collegiate Program; Major: Engineering; Minor: Entrepreneurial Business Program
Goals and interests
- Career goal
I’m a “maker and doer” by nature which has drawn me to a career in mechanical engineering. I’ve learned that engineers play a key role in conceiving, designing, and making mechanical systems and devices for a wide variety of industries, plus technological advancements have given them the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovative inventions. I’ll be studying mechanical engineering at Northeastern University which is one of the top national schools for co-op programs. While I’m there, I will have 3 different 6 months co-ops which will give me 18 months of hands-on work experience before I graduate. I plan to explore mechanical engineering jobs in a number of different positions and industries to see where I can best shape the future through technological advances and have a meaningful impact on the world. My first year studying at Northeastern’s campus in London, England will help develop my global perspective and world view which I can build on when I return to studies in the US.
- Graduate school interests
Northeastern has a PlusOne Accelerated Master’s Program where I can earn my Master’s degree with one additional year of school. I’m considering that option now because it will allow me to deep dive into a cutting-edge engineering field.
- Outside the classroom
Computer-Aided Design Club (founder and president)
Robotics Club
Maker Space
Ice Hockey, Soccer, and Fencing
Travel and Cultural Immersion Trips
Experience
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Mentor (i.e. staff)
Einstein's Workshop - STEM Community Center - still working there • During school year (Junior and Senior year): weekend job as Mentor (i.e., staff) engaging kids in STEM activities and walking them through the engineering mindset, teaching them how to be makers, doers, and problem-solvers; Also helping Director design a brand-new Math Program based on my 5 years at Lexington Math Club • During summer: Camp counsellor teaching Scratch programming and Lego robotics to campers
Nov 2022 – Jan 2024
Volunteering
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Leaders of Color Summer Science Camp, Camp Counsellor, Summers of 2022 and 2021 -- Counsellor for virtual, weeklong, multi-cultural summer camp for 150+ children; planned and taught science experiments to spark campers’ scientific curiosity
EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA
Jul 2021 – Jul 2022
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Student Bible School Teacher, Summers of 2019 and 2022
Grace Chapel, Lexington, MA
Jun 2019 – Jun 2022
Languages
- Spanish Beginner
