Amelia Earhart Pioneering Young Women Internship Cohort 2026–2027
About Bridges-Strong
Bridges-Strong is a Virginia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between educational access and innovation. We deliver practical, engineering-focused educational programs for adults in underserved communities across the United States and Latin America. Our programs are offered in both English and Spanish and are open to all interested participants.
Founded in late 2024 by Dr. Rosa Diaz, Bridges-Strong develops pilot programs that demonstrate that innovation is not reserved for the privileged. Through hands-on learning, real-world applications such as water purification and filtration engineering, and collaborative problem-solving, we equip individuals to address local challenges, create sustainable solutions, and drive technological and economic progress in their communities.
A Special Opportunity for Young Women and Girls
This internship is made possible by a generous donation from Dr. Duilia Fernandes de Mello, Board Member of Bridges-Strong and recipient of the 2026 Amelia Earhart Pioneering Achievement Award. Dr. de Mello directed her award gift to open more pathways into engineering for women—especially young women and girls—following Amelia Earhart’s pioneering spirit of courage, determination, and discovery.
We invite young women and girls who are high-school seniors or undergraduate students to join this cohort. This program is designed to encourage, support, and empower the next generation of women engineers. While the core work advances Bridges-Strong’s educational mission, the experience also highlights the contributions of pioneer women in engineering and provides role models and inspiration.
Internship Opportunity
Building on the success of prior cohorts, the Amelia Earhart Pioneering Young Women Internship Cohort 2026–2027 invites motivated young women to advance Bridges-Strong’s mission while exploring the pioneering contributions of women in engineering.
Interns will continue research and development of educational modules, with emphasis on topics that may include:
Engineering fundamentals of water filtration
Advanced engineering concepts in filter design
In addition, the cohort will develop strategies to engage adult learners effectively and to present complex engineering ideas in clear, accessible language suitable for individuals with limited prior formal education.
Additional Focus: Pioneer Women in Engineering
A distinctive component of this internship is dedicated research on pioneer women in engineering and STEM. Interns will investigate the lives, achievements, and challenges of historical and contemporary women who advanced engineering and science. This work may include:
Researching and profiling women engineers and scientists (including figures such as Amelia Earhart and modern pioneers like Dr. Duilia de Mello)
Developing short educational materials, stories, or video segments that highlight these pioneers for inclusion in Bridges-Strong’s programs
Exploring how the contributions of women in engineering can inspire adult learners and the next generation of girls in STEM
This activity strengthens technical research skills while connecting personal inspiration with educational impact.
Interns will operate as a coordinated team using agile methods that emphasize flexibility, iterative improvement, and continuous feedback. The program is primarily remote, with occasional hybrid meetings available for participants located in the Hampton Roads region. The full team will convene in weekly virtual meetings (or as needed) with the program coordinator, volunteer engineers, and educators.
By the end of the internship, the team is expected to have produced comprehensive materials and videos—in English and Spanish—for at least two new modules, plus targeted content on pioneer women in engineering. These deliverables will enable underserved adults to acquire practical engineering skills while also illuminating the pathways opened by pioneering women.
Key Details
Start Date: 1 October 2026 (earlier start possible by arrangement)
End Date: 6 May 2027
Time Commitment: 4 hours per week (minimum 90 hours/year)
Location: Fully remote (occasional hybrid meetings for Hampton Roads participants)
Stipend: Unpaid; participants receive a certificate of completion
Applications Open: October 1st, 2026
Application Deadline: Rolling review; closes when we reach capacity
Contact: info@bridges-strong.org
Eligibility
Currently enrolled as a high-school senior or undergraduate student at a U.S. or international institution
This cohort is open to young women and girls;
Preference given to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders
Minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent
Ideal Candidate Profile
We seek self-motivated young women who:
Demonstrate genuine interest in engineering, mathematics, data analysis, or research
Are curious about the contributions of women in STEM and eager to research and share those stories
Work confidently within their areas of expertise while collaborating effectively in a team
Communicate ideas clearly and concisely in writing
Are fluent in English; Spanish proficiency is a valuable asset but is not required is not required
How to Apply
Applications open now. Complete the Google Form for the Amelia Earhart Pioneering Young Women Internship Cohort 2026–2027 (a Google account is required). For questions, contact info@bridges-strong.org.
Required Information
List relevant STEM courses (for example, Physics, Statistics) and describe one skill or experience (coding, robotics, volunteering, etc.) that prepares you for this role.
Provide an example of your involvement in a STEM activity (robotics club, science fair, research project, etc.) and describe its personal or community impact.
Explain your motivation for supporting underserved communities, including any experience with diverse populations.
(Optional) Describe a project or work sample that demonstrates research or problem-solving ability.
Additional Materials
Transcripts: Unofficial high-school or college transcripts
Curriculum Vitae: A concise CV (maximum two pages) listing education, volunteer experience, skills, achievements, and relevant interests
References: Names and email addresses of two academic references. Letters remain confidential unless the applicant waives that right.
Selection Criteria
Foundation in STEM coursework (engineering, mathematics, computer science, or related fields)
Demonstrated interest or experience in engineering, research, or community-oriented projects
Interest in the stories and achievements of women in STEM
Strong written communication skills and attention to detail
Clear alignment between the internship and the applicant’s academic or career goals
Supportive letters of recommendation
Internship Responsibilities
Conduct research to identify and adapt effective educational strategies for underserved adult learners
Collaborate with the Bridges-Strong team to develop pilot program materials, including written documents and short educational videos
Research pioneer women in engineering and contribute to educational content that highlights their contributions
Contribute original ideas that refine program design and expand the reach of Bridges-Strong initiatives
Why Join Bridges-Strong?
This internship provides the opportunity to:
Gain practical experience in the design and development of educational programs
Contribute directly to materials that enable underserved adults to apply engineering knowledge for community benefit
Research and share the stories of pioneer women in engineering, connecting personal inspiration with educational impact
Strengthen skills in research, agile teamwork, responsible use of AI tools, and cross-cultural communication
Receive a certificate of completion that documents contributions and supports future academic or professional applications
Interns play an essential role in Bridges-Strong’s work. Their efforts advance program development while helping to convert educational access into tangible empowerment and progress for communities—and for the next generation of women in engineering.
We invite young women and girls to become part of Bridges-Strong’s effort to expand access to engineering education and innovation, inspired by the pioneering spirit of Amelia Earhart and the generosity of Dr. Duilia de Mello.