Junior Bennett
Graduate Research Assistant
Engineering Education
West Lafayette
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Junior A. Bennett is a Graduate Research Assistant and 2023 Lynn Fellowship Awardee pursuing a Ph.D. in Engineering Education and Ecological Sciences and Engineering at Purdue University. His research interests revolve around the use of embodied learning technologies for teaching and learning engineering physics.
Junior describes his incredible journey from "Market Vendor" in Jamaica to Fellow at Purdue University as challenging, transformative, and rewarding. He credits Holmwood Technical High School in Jamaica where he had served as Head Boy for playing a significant role in providing a sound foundation in STEM education with a holistic focus. He was awarded by the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture in Jamaica, the Technical High School scholarship in 2003 to pursue undergraduate studies at the University of Technology, Jamaica. He graduated from UTech Ja with a Bachelor of Education in TVET Industrial Technology - Electrical at the top of his class. He completed a Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Systems at Western Illinois University and then returned to serve his alma mater (UTech Ja) for 12 years full-time as as lecturer in mathematics, physics, and engineering respectively before transitioning to becoming Programme Coordinator at the Vocational Training Development Institute/HEART Trust NSTA and later Manager at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica.
Junior is a Certified Manufacturing Engineer by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and Productivity Ambassador by the Jamaica Productivity Centre in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. He is a corporate member of the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) and was appointed to represents JIE on the National Commission of Science and Technology for two consecutive years. He was awarded UTech Ja President Award for Outstanding Service in the Category of Community Service. His most fulfilling experiences are spending quality time with his family, sharing his experience, serving others and empowering humanity.