At DSST Public Schools, our mission to disrupt systemic inequities in STEM education drives everything we do. A shining example of this commitment can be found at DSST: Elevate High School, where a tech internship is opening doors for students to explore STEM careers and discover their passions.
The program is led by Abdul Bonaize, a DSST: Cole alum (Class of 2019) who now serves as a Technology Coordinator at DSST: Elevate Northeast. Stepping into Bonaize's tech lab feels like stepping into the future. Amid rows of computers and buzzing activity, students eagerly chat with Bonaize about tech challenges and their day-to-day experiences.
This semester, two DSST: Elevate juniors, Khalil and Ivan, are diving into hands-on STEM learning through the internship. Khalil said his favorite part is “taking apart the computer and being able to learn from doing.” For Ivan, the experience aligns with his ambitions: “I have some interest in Engineering and it’s probably what I want to do in the future…, is be an engineer.”
The internship is tailored to each student's interests while building essential knowledge in a STEM-related field. One of their favorite tasks? Dismantling laptops and sorting components to repair other devices.
Mentorship is at the heart of the experience.
“The first day I ask them: Why did you pick this internship? What are you most interested in tech and what would you like to learn from this internship?,” Bonaize said, explaining his approach. “I take their feedback and implement those things into how I am going to teach them.”
He also introduced students to “frankensteining,” a process of breaking down old laptops to repurpose parts for repairs—a perfect blend of innovation and sustainability. Bonaize’s emphasis on relationship-building ensures students feel welcome, supported, and in control of their learning.
This tech internship exemplifies DSST’s dedication to preparing students for a future where they can thrive as innovators and leaders in STEM. For Khalil, Ivan, and others to come, the spark ignited here could light the way to a lifelong passion.