This is Michael Hernandez: Eagle Scout and Engineering Student

By Jennifer Ersalesi

Bergen Academies Senior and Rutherford resident, Michael Hernandez, has been focused on achieving many goals, including engineering projects and admission into MIT. He has also been working on becoming an Eagle Scout. This is Rutherford interviewed Michael to learn about his Eagle Scout project and his love of engineering and robotics.

TIR: For the last three and a half years, you have been a student at Bergen Academies studying Engineering Design.  Tell us about some of the Engineering projects you've been working on at BCA. 

Michael Hernandez: I’ve worked on many projects over the last few years and they range in scope and size. The largest projects throughout my time have been my mechatronics research project, my machine shop project, and my robotics projects.

My research project focused on a technology called Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) that uses a laser and a detector to measure the distances between an object and the sensor. Affordable 2 dimension LiDAR sensors are now common for hobbyist civil engineers and robotics engineers, but low-cost 3D scanners are practically nonexistent. Our project turns a basic 2d Lidar sensor, the RPLIDAR A1, into a 3D scanner by rotating it with a servo motor and combining its data with an accelerometer to track rotation. We then used a deep learning algorithm that analyzed these point clouds to identify objects and walls. We were able to generate 3D maps of indoor spaces.

I have also been fascinated by spaces called machine shops and engineering workshops. These are spaces with machines that enable you to shape, bend, cut, and machine metal and other materials into what you want. So over the last few years, I have been working on establishing an engineering workshop in my garage complete with a soldering station, cnc router, 3D printer, drill press, circular saw, workbench, and more. Now I am working on an ambitious project to design and build my own lathe, which is a machine that can machine circular parts to high precision.

“Michael Hernandez is an extraordinarily intelligent yet deeply humble student whose talent in electronics and mechanical engineering is truly rare. As the top research student in our Mechatronics Research Lab, he devoted countless hours—during free periods, after school, and at home—to advancing his work. His curiosity, discipline, and ability to translate theory into practical, innovative systems set him apart. In my 24-year career at the Bergen County Academies, he stands as the finest engineering student I have taught—an Elon Musk in the making and a true product of the exceptional Rutherford school system,” explained Mr. Nodarse, Mechatronics Research Lab Teacher at Bergen Academies.

I also have many robotics projects as I am the captain of the robotics team at BCA.

TIR: This upcoming Fall, you will be attending MIT.  Which major do you plan on pursuing at MIT? 

MH: I plan on pursuing Mechanical Engineering at MIT.

TIR: In addition to your other achievements, you are working on your Eagle Scout project. Can you tell us more about this project? 

MH: The planning for the project has been completed and we will be beginning work on it within the next several weeks. This project is a building and landscaping project for the Kip Center in Rutherford. The first part of the project will involve beautifying the front of the Kip Center with wooden planters for new flower beds to go on the inside of the planter. The other part of the project involves cleaning up, restoring, and beautifying the mulch bed on the side of the Kip Center with new flowers and plants, bringing new life to this area. 

The planter will be made out of pressure treated pine and have a final design that is shown by the schematic that is attached. We will build two of these planters and they will be stained and prepared for placing plants inside of them. However, the scope of this project will likely not include placing flowers in the planters as the beneficiary wants to change the flowers seasonally. The project will be built in my garage and then transported to the Kip Center upon completion. 

The mulch bed restoration will involve adding new mulch to the bed, as well as planting various flowers to make the area look nicer.

TIR: Why did you choose this particular Eagle Scout project? 

MH: I chose this project because when I began talking to Cathy, the woman who is my beneficiary for the project, I was amazed by her care for the Kip Center and I was inspired to help her with a project to benefit the organization she so clearly cared about.

TIR: Who were your mentors through this process? 

MH: Throughout the Eagle Scout journey my mentors have largely been people like Mr. Eric Makar who was my Scoutmaster for most of my Scouting career.

Scoutmaster Erick Makar told TIR, "I have been Michael's Scoutmaster from 2020-2025. I have been with the troop as an Assistant Scoutmaster since this past September. He crossed into the troop just prior to my arrival in 2019 so I was privileged to watch his growth into an outstanding young man. Even early on he was always eager to participate, problem solve and share information with his other scouts. He's held just about every leadership position possible and was briefly our Senior Patrol Leader last spring. He has strong teaching skills which benefits our younger scout greatly. He like teaching camping, knots and if there's anything related to STEM skills, he's first to offer help instructing. 

Michael has been on countless weekend camping trips all over NJ and PA. Attended long weekend trips to Boston, Salem and Gettysburgh. He's also attended weeklong trips to upstate NY for a canoe trek of over 50 miles, attend SeaBase Scout Adventure in the Florida Keys with scuba, sailing and watersports activities and finally a week in New Mexico at Philmont Scout Reservation to hike the mountains and backpack for the 39 mile trek.

Currently he's about to begin his Eagle Project, having just gotten the necessary approvals from our Northern New Jersey Council, Scouting America. He'll rework the landscaping in front of the Kip Center including building a larger planter. This is not just adding flowers and mulch. He's put a great deal of effort into researching the best type of plants to work seasonally and with minimal effort of upkeep. The planter is an original engineering of his own making so members of the center can plant there without bending over. His presentation came with schematics and CAD drawings. Michael has been a pleasure to guide through the scouting program and he's returned to this program so much with his kindness and leadership."

TIR: Will anyone assist you with the completion of the project? 

MH: I will be seeking the assistance of the scouts in my troop, my friends from school, and my parents. I will also be getting help for fundraising from places such as the Kip Center itself.

TIR: Tell us more about the rest of your senior year....what do you have planned?

MH: I have many plans primarily for robotics and my lathe project. I am trying to help the team get to states and possibly even worlds, and as our season has been going well I am hopeful. I also have some plans to go on trips with my friends and enjoy the remainder of my senior year.