Since opening its doors in 2021, The Hayot Center for Innovation (HCI) — named in honor of former Head of School Dr. Patricia T. Hayot — has become a thriving hub of creativity, collaboration and innovation. Over the years, the HCI has grown tremendously, adding new equipment, expanding its projects and creating opportunities for multidisciplinary work across all grades.
An exciting, recent development is the HCI Interns Program, which was piloted last year and is now in full swing for this 2025-2026 academic year. This unique opportunity is open to Upper School students who wish to deepen their engagement with the HCI by supporting classes, assisting peers and advancing their skills while working directly with Dr. Jon Olivera, Director of the HCI.
Currently, four students are participating. These Class 9 and Class 11 interns have shown tremendous enthusiasm for working in the HCI and are eager to deepen their expertise. Interns have the flexibility to volunteer free time in their schedule, such as study halls, free periods and time before and after school, to work with Dr. Olivera in the space.
Each student brings unique knowledge, and all share a passion for innovation. After a spark was ignited during a specific project they worked on in one of their classes, each felt inspired to return for extra time in the HCI.
The students have experience with a variety of equipment in the HCI having used it for previous class projects. Through the internship program, Dr. Olivera also introduces them to new machines, shares updates that have been made in the HCI and refreshes their skills using tools they have learned in the past to ensure the interns feel confident. For example, interns Audrey B. and Raquel M., both Class 9 students, have learned to operate the miter and band saws to support Class 9 students in their Dream Houses project and Class 3 with building bird houses. Dr. Olivera is always available to offer support or answer questions when the interns have them, as well.
“They have proven to me that they are capable,” said Dr. Olivera. “I have full faith in the interns.”
The internship bridges divisions within Chapin, allowing student leaders to serve as mentors and role models for their peers and younger students. This year, programming in the HCI has expanded even further and now welcomes Lower School students to the space, along with Classes 4-12.
Raquel, who has been working with a variety of grades since the school year began, said, “I am most excited to work with Class 3 and help guide the younger Chapin students as they first enter the HCI.”
Maya N. and Riley M., both in Class 11, began their work in August, helping Dr. Olivera prepare the space for the new school year. “We troubleshooted problems with the equipment,” Maya shared. They also worked with Dr. Olivera to find solutions to any problems that came up. They recalibrated new printers, built and painted tables, completed an inventory of all supplies in the HCI and ensured all equipment was functioning and ready to use in September. The interns worked in the woodshop, as well, and helped to set up the First Lego League (FLL) competition tables (which are currently being utilized by the team as they develop prototypes and build their robot).
Prior to becoming an intern, Maya said, “I was always working in the HCI a lot. I am captain of the US Robotics team and help with MS Robotics, as well.” They find their internship in the HCI rewarding and have noticed that students are very receptive to asking questions and bouncing ideas off of one another. Maya continued, “I am most excited to assist with the interdisciplinary projects, between World Languages and the HCI, for example.”
In addition to supporting projects and mastering tools, the interns assist students with a wide range of technology — from Adobe programs, augmented reality, 3D printers to laser cutters.
Last year, Riley built and 3D printed an antigravity machine in the HCI for her project in Chapin’s Laboratory and Research Methods (LARM) class, an impactful experience that left her eager to seek out more opportunities in the HCI, to not only learn from Dr. Olivera and her peers, but to share her passion with other students. Since September, she has worked with the 3D printers and Adobe Illustrator and leads students in using the laser cutting machines. Riley said, “I want to be an engineer so this is the perfect internship for me.”
In addition to assisting with student classes, the interns also have the opportunity to support the professional community workshops that Dr. Olivera leads throughout the year. These workshops are open to all faculty and staff, regardless of experience, and can center around any available tools in the HCI. The interns often stay for the workshops and assist Dr. Olivera in teaching new technology.
The HCI Interns program not only gives Chapin students the chance to learn from peer mentors they look up to, but provides the interns themselves with invaluable experience. Through their work in the HCI, the interns gain confidence in using advanced technology and develop the skills to share their knowledge and teach others.
