New London — A senior at the Science and Technology Magnet High School has been named a non-voting member of the Connecticut Board of Education.

Clayton Potter of New London, who will be 17 next month, was sworn in Monday to a one-year term on the state board. He is one of two student representatives on the board and will be able to comment, ask questions and make suggestions at the monthly meetings.

He said he was urged by officials at his school to apply for the position.

“I am a strong-minded person and very opinionated,’’ Potter said Tuesday. “Education is very important to me and when I was presented with the opportunity, I wanted to take advantage. I felt I could make an impact.”

Potter, who is interested in a career in cognitive neuroscience, plans to apply to Harvard, Yale and Brown universities, as well as the University of Connecticut.