Interested in gaining hands-on experience while building skills you can use in school, college, a future career, or your own business?
Join us for an Internship Orientation at Monumental Impact to learn about opportunities for high school and college students to get involved in real projects supporting our makerspace, programs, events, and community.
During the orientation, we’ll share how the internship program works, the types of projects and teams interns can participate in, expectations for the upcoming academic-year term, and how to get started.
Academic-Year Internship Term
September 14, 2026 – April 16, 2027
During the school year, we ask interns to commit to a minimum of 3 hours per week. We understand that students are balancing school, extracurricular activities, jobs, and other commitments, so internship schedules can be coordinated around availability and the needs of individual projects.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Depending on your interests, skills, and experience, internship opportunities may include:
Product Development & Delivery – Design, prototype, test, manufacture, and prepare products and projects.
Marketing & Communications – Photography, video, social media, graphic design, websites, and storytelling.
Business & Entrepreneurship – Product planning, research, pricing, sales, and supporting our Made @ Monumental Impact program.
Events Planning & Delivery – Help organize and support community events, workshops, competitions, and outreach activities.
Makerspace Services – Help support equipment, technology, projects, and day-to-day makerspace activities.
You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly what you want to do. The internship is an opportunity to explore interests, develop skills, work alongside mentors and other students, and contribute to projects with real-world outcomes.
Interested in Joining Us?
High school and college students interested in participating during the 2026–2027 academic year are encouraged to attend the Internship Orientation.
Ready to take the next step? Complete our Join Our Community application and indicate your interest in an internship with Monumental Impact. This helps us learn more about your interests, availability, and the types of projects you may want to explore.
Apply through Join Our Community, then come to the Internship Orientation to learn more and begin connecting with our team.
Internships can be…intimidating. You’re taking that first step in your professional career and have no idea what to expect. At Monumental Impact, we try to make our internships fun and welcoming, with plenty of opportunities to grow, learn, and make an impact.
As the season winds down, we decided to sit down with two of our most recent summer interns to connect about their experience.
The First Step
Dana (a rising sophomore at Air Academy High School) was looking for an opportunity to explore her interest in business and marketing when she came across our internship through the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance (PPBEA). She came into the experience hoping to gain insight into how a business works along with hands-on experience with its operations.
“I will definitely remember this experience for a while because it was a new and exciting opportunity for me.” – Dana
Kevin (a rising junior electrical and computer engineering major at Baylor University) was also waiting for a chance to gain more experience in his field. He wanted to learn outside of the classroom, and see what it takes to actually develop a viable product. When a friend recommended our summer internship to Kevin, he found it was exactly what he was looking for.
What really drew both of them to Monumental Impact, though, was the option to work with a small, local business in the tech sector that has a real impact on the community they grew up in.
Their Summer Adventure
At the start of the Summer, both Dana and Kevin went into their internships expecting to learn more about tech, business, product management, and marketing. And they did.
Dana had the opportunity to help plan and organize our booths for the July 4th Street Fair and the Smokin’ Showdown & Palmer Paddle in August. She was able to learn more about the events themselves, how to operate a booth, and how to collaborate with others to get projects done.
She worked closely with Jeanette (our Executive Director), and other team members and volunteers to plan, execute, and promote these events. She was also instrumental in implementing our first collection of Made @ Monumental Impact products through an online catalog, which was also kicked off at the Smokin’ Showdown & Palmer Paddle.
While Dana was working to help promote the business externally, Kevin was looking for ways to help current community members inside our organization.
Many of our makers have expressed an interest in using LEDs in their projects but didn’t know how. The PCB (printed circuit board) artwork project, which Kevin worked on, helped change that. Using KiCAD software, he helped develop a modular system that any one of our members can now use and incorporate into their designs.
Working with others in the space, especially Mike, Kevin was able to deepen his technical knowledge while also learning everything that goes into making a product. From ideation to pricing, packaging, and launching. He also found that the selection of 3D printers, laser systems, and more are especially helpful.
Unexpected Growth
While using all the tools and machines and programs was fun, this internship helped them explore other things, too. Like skills they can take and use wherever they go.
Dana and Kevin were able to improve their communication skills and confidence while clearly expressing their ideas to people (some they didn’t even know very well). They also enjoyed collaborating with various people. They stated that this was a fun opportunity to bounce ideas, receive feedback, and see how others work.
“I have learned so much, and worked with so many helpful people.” – Kevin
Another, perhaps unexpected, skill they both gained over the past several months: time management. While they had to meet an ultimate deadline, Dana and Kevin were in charge of setting and taking the steps to get there while ensuring they were on track to reach that final destination.
Saying Goodbye
With the end of Summer and school starting back up, our Summer interns are getting ready to leave. But their time at Monumental Impact has helped prepare them for what’s next.
Dana wanted more exposure to business, management, and marketing. She got that over the Summer, and more. Now, she’s preparing to return to school, her friends, and her clubs. Her experience has only cemented her interest in business, working with people, and volunteering. She’ll continue to focus on school, learning, and helping out at her local library.
Kevin came in hoping to gain real-world experience with product management and entrepreneurship. Over the last several months, he was able to see firsthand everything a small business has to go through to create and sell products. Now, he’s returning to Baylor and hopes to put the skills he gained over the Summer to good use in upcoming classes. He also hopes to leverage the experience as he prepares for a future in the biomedical sector.
When asked if they’d recommend Monumental Impact to friends, family, or anyone else, they responded with a resounding “yes.”
Interested in applying for an internship, becoming a member, or volunteering with us? Let’s connect.
Maker Spotlight: Mike Hinkle – A Lifetime of Creativity and Curiosity
Our community shines because of makers like Mike Hinkle — a mentor and lifelong learner whose creativity and curiosity continue to spark innovation at Monumental Impact.
Mike recently wrapped up an incredibly busy build cycle, preparing robots across three combat robotics weight classes — Beetleweight, Plastic Antweight, and Fairyweight — along with a robot for the RIVAL Robotics League. His workshop has been alive with the hum of tools, the buzz of testing, and the spark of innovation as he balances design, fabrication, and mentorship.
Since August, Mike has been guiding four new combat roboticists through our Combat Robotics Starter Program, helping them bring their custom robot designs to life. Under his mentorship, these students have learned how to design, build, and test their creations — skills they’ll put to the test when they compete at our 5th Annual MITEE Gobble Squabble on Saturday, November 22nd at UCCS.
Mike also mentors our FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team 19541 – the Bionic Sharks, teaching mechanical fundamentals, game strategy, and build planning. He brings a thoughtful balance of experience and encouragement, helping students grow their technical skills while fostering teamwork and creativity.
Beyond the makerspace, Mike extends his love for discovery to the broader community through Maker Moments: Creativity & Curiosity, a hands-on session he leads at Silver Key’s Tri-Lakes Activity Center. Through these sessions, he helps people of all ages reconnect with the joy of making — reminding us that creativity is one of life’s most joyful experiences. It’s something we can discover, rediscover, and celebrate throughout our lives.
Mike’s story as a maker stretches back many years, including his early work with Techno Chaos, where he helped families and students explore technology and creativity together. You can learn more about his journey at techno-chaos.com/about-us/mike-hinkle.
Mike embodies the spirit of Monumental Impact: lifelong learning, mentorship, and the power of creativity to connect people. Whether guiding a student team, mentoring new roboticists, or leading community workshops, he reminds us that making isn’t just about the final product — it’s about the curiosity, collaboration, and confidence we gain along the way.
Final touches! Mike prepares his RIVAL Robotics League bot at the Colorado School of Mines scrimmage.Testing in progress — Mike evaluates his RIVAL Robotics League bot unloading DOOMSDAY game elements during a scrimmage at the Colorado School of Mines.Mike and members of the Combat Robotics Club meet to discuss build techniques and robot design strategies in preparation for upcoming competitions.Mike leads a discussion with members of FTC Team 19541 – the Bionic Sharks – reviewing robot design concepts and game strategy during a build session at Monumental Impact.Hands-on learning in action! Mike works alongside the Bionic Sharks team as they test drive components and troubleshoot mechanisms.Having fun talking robots with the Bionic Sharks team.Mike demonstrates live 3D printing during a Maker Moments: 3D Creations & Curiosity session at Silver Key’s Tri-Lakes Activity Center, inspiring others to explore creativity at any age.Mike readies his Plastic Antweight bot, “Pain in the Bot,” before a match — a great example of precision design and the excitement of combat robotics.In the arena — Mike competes with his Plastic Antweight bot at the Golden Tech Tussle, held at the Colorado School of Mines’ Labriola Makerspace & Innovation Space.A lifetime of creativity and curiosity — Mike stands proudly with his lineup of combat robots, embodying the joy and lifelong learning that drive his work.
The Gobble Squabble returns for its 5th year — a day that celebrates innovation, competition, and community collaboration! This event brings together makers, students, and enthusiasts for three exciting experiences under one roof:
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Scrimmage – Student robotics teams test and refine their designs before the competition season.
Combat Robotics: “Robot Chaos” – Builders battle it out with custom combat robots.
Robotics & Technology EXPO (*NEW)– Exhibits from UCCS clubs and area organizations showcasing technology, engineering and robotics projects.
Everything is powered by volunteers, and we’d love to have you on the team! No worries if this is your first time at such an event. Let us know and we will help you get up to speed!
🛠️ Event-Wide Volunteer Roles
A few key positions help keep everything running across all Gobble Squabble programs:
Volunteer Check-In – Greet and register volunteers.
Pit Administration / Team Check-In – Welcome teams and get them settled.
Emcee – Keep the crowd engaged and informed.
Event Photographer & Media – Capture memorable moments throughout the day. If not able to do the full day, we have split this with two volunteers into a morning and afternoon.
Safety Attendant – Oversee pit and competition safety, especially with attendees wanting to get close to the action or into the pit area.
Accommodations Coordinator – help with food area, accessibility and quiet spaces.
Assign Me As Needed – Flexible volunteers ready to help wherever needed most!
Field Setup / Takedown Crew – Assemble and / or disassemble the FTC and Combat Robotics fields. [Field setup is scheduled to occur between 4pm to 6pm on Friday.]
Load-In / Load-Out Crew – Transport and get field / team components into Berger Hall in the morning and out of Berger Hall in the late afternoon. Volunteers can ask to help either in the morning or afternoon.
🤖 FTC Scrimmage Volunteer Opportunities
Support high school / middle school student robotics teams as they prepare for competition season! Roles include:
Roles primarily in the morning:
Mock Judging Coordinator & Judges – Conduct practice interviews to prepare students for judging on their presentation and portfolio. [Mock Judging Panels are scheduled to occur between 8:30am to 10:30.]
Inspectors – Verify robot safety and compliance for teams to participate in the scrimmage matches. [Inspectors are typically active between 8am to 11am.]
Control System Advisor / FIRST Technical Advisor – help teams with their robot communications on and off the field.
Roles that start around 10:30am after inspections and mock judging are completed:
Referees & Scorekeepers – Learn the FTC DECODE game and play a crucial role in the match play action for the scrimmage. [Referees & Scorekeepers are typically active between 10:30am to 3pm.]
Game Announcer – Keep the crowd engaged and informed.
Lead Queuer / Queuers – Keep scrimmage matches on schedule and teams moving smoothly.
Field Resetter / Field Supervisor – Reset and maintain match fields.
🎓 Training is provided by FIRST for FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) — no experience needed! Some roles are half-day. Sign up through the QR code on this page or click the QR code. For question reach out to enable@monumentalimpact.org.
In addition to the robotics action, Gobble Squabble will feature an EXPO highlighting other robotics & technology projects from UCCS clubs and community organizations. We’re looking for volunteers to help with:
Expo Setup & Logistics – Assist exhibitors with setup and table placement.
Expo Coordination – Welcome exhibitors and help manage attendee flow.
If your organization or club would like to host an exhibit, please contact enable@monumentalimpact.org for participation details.
💡 Be Part of the Action
The Gobble Squabble is a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community innovation — and it couldn’t happen without volunteers like you!
Your time, skills, and enthusiasm make this annual event possible. Join us to inspire the next generation of makers and innovators!
If you know others that would like to connect with the robotics & technology community at the MITEE Gobble Squabble, please feel free to share our flyer or our website.
MONUMENTAL IMPACT RECEIVES GRANT FROM BLACK HILLS ENERGY
Money to fund a variety of ongoing programs.
Monument, CO — October 8, 2025 — Monumental Impact has announced the awarding of a $1,750.00 USD grant from Black Hills Energy. The funds will be used for a variety of popular programs that members take part in as they build teams to tackle various challenges in the areas of science, technology and engineering. These programs include competition teams, work-based learning, entrepreneurship, makerspace and community services.
Monumental Impact is a nonprofit that connects youth and community members with career pathways in technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship. We provide programs, equipment, mentorship, workspace, and real-world opportunities that empower people to explore, create, and compete.
“What sets us apart is that we don’t simulate the workplace—we are the workplace.” said Jeanette Breton, Executive Director of Monumental Impact.
Membership in Monumental Impact includes more than students and mentors. Adult professional makers, current entrepreneurs and retired industry experts are also active MITEE members. They engage shoulder-to-shoulder with learners, sharing real-world insights, sparking creativity, and inspiring next-gen innovators.
“Being involved in community programs like Monumental Impact and helping the next generation of innovators and leaders emerge is part of Black Hills Energy’s mission,” said, Tom Henley, Senior Manager of Public Affairs at Black Hills Energy.
About Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Energy, a subsidiary of Black Hills Corp, has a long history supplying gas and electric utilities to 1.35 million customers in eight states including Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Monumental Impact is a registered 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit serving high school students through adults as a community makerspace. Monumental Impact is also referred to as MITEE, (Monumental Impact for Technology, Engineering and Entrepreneurship) connecting youth and community members with career pathways in technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship. We provide programs, equipment, mentorship, workspace, and real-world opportunities that empower people to explore, create, and compete.
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a part of Monumental Impact can visit www.monumentalimpact.org
Monumental Impact Designated as an Enterprise Zone Contribution Project to Expand Entrepreneurship and Career Readiness in the Tri-Lakes Region
Palmer Lake, CO — Monumental Impact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering high school students, college students, and adults in technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship, has been officially approved as an Enterprise Zone Contribution Project in El Paso County.
This designation recognizes Monumental Impact’s role in driving regional workforce and business development through its Entrepreneurship and Career Readiness Programs — programs that equip participants with hands-on experience, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving skills in a collaborative makerspace environment.
“Our community makerspace is where innovation happens,” said Jeanette Breton, Executive Director of Monumental Impact. “It’s a place where students, professionals, and entrepreneurs come together to design, prototype, and launch ideas that strengthen our local economy and create new opportunities.”
Through these programs, participants gain access to advanced fabrication tools — including 3D printers, CNC machines, and laser engravers — as well as professional mentors and business incubation support. Monumental Impact’s hands-on learning model not only builds technical and entrepreneurial capacity but also fosters self-confidence, collaboration, and life-long learning.
As an approved Enterprise Zone Contribution Project, individuals and businesses who contribute to Monumental Impact may receive Colorado state income tax credits for qualifying donations. These contributions directly support the nonprofit’s mission to expand career-connected learning, small business incubation, and innovation pathways within the Tri-Lakes Enterprise Zone.
“Being part of the Enterprise Zone program allows our donors to multiply their impact,” Breton added. “Every contribution fuels opportunities for the next generation of makers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.”
🗣️ Community Voices on Monumental Impact’s Enterprise Zone Designation
Town of Palmer Lake
“Monumental Impact’s makerspace and mentorship programs prepare youth and adults for career pathways and serve as a launchpad for new and growing businesses in our region.”
Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce
“A unique and powerful contributor to our economic ecosystem, Monumental Impact is preparing the next generation of innovators and small business owners.”
Pikes Peak Business & Education Alliance (PPBEA)
“Monumental Impact’s makerspace creates a dynamic hub where learners engage directly with industry professionals and community volunteers.”
Thank you to Stephanie Gonzales, a freelance writer for Lewis Palmer School District 38 (D38), for her article on Monumental Impact’s Engineering Firm Experiences offered to D38 students through a collaborative partnership with D38. Under the Engineering Firm Experience the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) program is a competitive “sports of the mind” where students have “Go to Market” industry-like experiences as they prepare to compete, both in their robot’s capabilities and their business engineering portfolio.
Core to our mission is to enable student experiences. We now have a space, but how does that impact enabling student experiences, especially in a time of COVID? Well, it impacts our ability to have a home base to enable different types of student experiences even with COVID. We will use our space for: small team competition activities; training before a rotation of desktop equipment to a student’s home and; internships with home-based businesses.
What type of student experiences? With two of our industry areas of technology and engineering we are currently focused on enabling student experiences with fabrication and design capabilities. These two areas can be enabled with some out of the box thinking even with the restrictions of COVID.
For fabrication experiences we will start with 3D Printing and CNC router equipment (examples shown). Supplies include plastic filament, aluminum, lexan, router bits, Dewalt 611 router for these types of experiences.
The design area covers many different disciplines of engineering and graphics, even programming and entrepreneurial marketing. To provide design experiences you need high-end graphics PCs with software licenses for the discipline of interest such as mechanical, electrical, programming and graphics. By providing the equipment and supplies needed for these experiences, students interested in these areas are enabled to explore these career pathways.
We look forward to enabling students interested in learning design-to-fabrication techniques with desktop tools and supplies even with COVID. We also look forward to enabling small team activities for the Bearbotics that is still competing this season during COVID.
With these types of student experiences available to students interested in these fields, we will have enabled them in their journey even during COVID. With a will there’s a way to enable. We just need to think outside of the box. Will you help us enable these student experiences?
Thank you to Benn Farrell, a freelance writer for the Gazette, for his article in The Tribune on Monumental Impact as we were finding our footing in 2020 after COVID restrictions were put in place. We started our nonprofit one month before COVID and yet we still had six interns that first summer that worked remotely to help form and shape our internship opportunities for students interested in technology, engineering and entrepreneurship.
