The Ayin Project's
Summer Internship Program
The Ayin Project’s Summer Internship Program
Empowering Tomorrow's Innovators and Storytellers
The Ayin Project’s Summer Internship Program equips high school students with hands-on STEM experience while advancing sustainable water solutions. Interns develop research skills, collaborate with professionals, and contribute to real-world projects that support The Ayin Project’s mission of implementing sustainable water solutions.
This program fosters global awareness and problem-solving, empowering students to make a meaningful impact on water challenges locally and abroad.
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Community Service
Working with the Cumberland River Compact, our interns tackled a one-mile section of Richland Creek, collecting around 600 pounds of waste and significantly improving Nashville’s waterways. Many students voiced their gratitude for the hands-on opportunity to make a direct, positive difference in their local environment.
Guest Speaker Series
The SHIRE internship provides an educational and hands-on experience, further enriched by expert perspectives from leading professionals. Our guest speakers in 2024 included Bill Bennecker, Brandon Salas, Ben Luke, and Ellen Fuson from Gresham Smith, Michael Cochrane and Lillian Furlow from TTL USA, Erica Adair from Bridgestone USA, Ryan Jackwood from Harpeth Conservancy, Emily Fairbank from Clearloop, and Josh Kurtz from The Ayin Project.
Proud Partners
The internship program was created to give high school students a unique, immersive experience that blends classroom learning with real-world applications. Through our partnership program, we provide:
Paid internships that let students earn while they learn. School credits for SHIRE interns that count toward graduation. Hands-on projects addressing both local and global challenges. Professional engagement from scientists, engineers, and innovators making a difference.
Vanderbilt University’s Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach (CSEO) works alongside TAP to offer impactful STEM learning. Vanderbilt provides four post-doctorate facilitators with expertise in research and lab sciences, helping to guide the SHIRE interns in lab work, including cancer cell cultivation. Through a collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, CSEO also supports three PhD or Masters-level high school science teachers who focus on sustainable engineering and water quality topics and contribute funding for lab materials.
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) provides the facilities to host the internship, with Hillsboro High School offering classrooms and lab space. Interns come from various high schools within the Nashville, TN area. In 2024, Stratford STEM Magnet High School hosted a summer Olympics event where SHIRE interns were able to apply their skills in a competitive setting.
POWER Youth, a program of Nashville’s Metro Action Commission (MAC), supports youth job experiences by paying interns for their work and providing weekly professional development training outside TAP’s internship hours.
The Ayin Project (TAP) coordinates the internship experience. TAP provides administrative support of the program, community service experience, evaluations of the interns, fundraising, organizing guest speakers, field trip opportunities, and overall project management.
In addition to investing in our youth, we collaborate with individuals, governments, and organizations to empower indigenous leaders in developing countries to implement sustainable water solutions. Our mission? Safely managed water solutions for all mankind.
Building Global Awareness
A primary goal of The Ayin Project is to broaden students’ global perspectives, particularly around sustainability and water accessibility. In 2024, one of the most memorable aspects of the SHIRE program was its weekly Speaker Series, where industry professionals shared personal career insights. The series’ highlight was a video call with TAP's Water Research and Development Team in Uganda. This cultural exchange allowed interns to discuss water quality and access issues directly with Ugandan experts who are actively working to improve conditions in their country. The experience was enlightening and left a profound impact on all who participated.
Zaniya
Summer High School Intern
It genuinely made me more confident as a researcher, in the lab, and just in general. I definitely feel like I will be a better ISR (Interdisciplinary Science & Research) student moving forward."
Marcos
Summer High School Intern
"SHIRE will challenge anyone no matter how well you do in ISR (Interdisciplinary Science & Research), and you will get to learn and do stuff you would never get to do in high school, while getting paid."
Hannah
Summer High School Intern
"I would recommend because there are so many people around you supporting what you are doing."
How to Apply
Students interested in The Ayin Project’s Summer Internship Program can apply through the POWER Youth Application portal. Visit the link below for details on requirements, deadlines, and the step-by-step application process.
For additional information on each internship track or other queries, contact The Ayin Project through our website or social media platforms.
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