Eastmont High School students Torrin Stone and Zan Miakinkoff collaborate on an AI-powered tool developed through an internship with NCW Tech Alliance, supporting public health reporting for the Chelan-Douglas Health District.
Two Eastmont students are getting a real-world look at how technology can solve real problems, and how their learning connects directly to future careers.
Torrin Stone (grade 11) and Zan Miakinkoff (grade 10) have been participating in an internship through NCW Tech Alliance’s AI Youth Corps pilot program, working with the Chelan-Douglas Health District to design an AI-powered tool that helps healthcare professionals report “notifiable conditions” (i.e. illnesses and health concerns that must be reported to public health officials to help keep communities safe).
The internship is part of Eastmont High School’s new Career-Connected Learning program, which intentionally matches students with real-world experiences aligned to their career interests. Using SchoolLinks, a college and career planning platform, student goals help guide internship placements so experiences connect directly to future pathways.
“This work ties directly to the school board’s strategic plan,” said Shelley Charlton, who leads Career-Connected Learning at Eastmont High School. “Our goal is for students to see the value of their learning, connect it to future careers, and begin developing a clear post–high school plan.” The internships reflect Eastmont’s focus on academic excellence and career-connected learning that prepares students for life beyond high school.
The project began when Dr. Sue Kane from NCW Tech Alliance reached out to EHS this fall to see if any students were interested in supporting a real-world health department need. Both Torrin and Zan were enrolled in Charlton’s Computer Coding class, and the two students began collaborating on the project, meeting regularly with NCW Tech Alliance mentors as they developed and refined their prototype.
Charlton, who serves as Eastmont High School’s Career-Connected Learning lead, said the partnership reflects how the school is approaching internships and community partnerships. “We aren’t just asking businesses to take our students; we’re asking what we can give back too. We want it to be a give and take.”
The health department identified challenges with website navigation when users try to report required information. Torrin explained that while the information healthcare providers need is available on the website, it can be difficult to find quickly. The goal of the project was to “make it easier for healthcare providers to find the right information when reporting certain conditions.” The AI-powered chat tool the students created helps guide users to the correct reporting pages, contact information, and next steps, while also accounting for spelling errors and language differences. This could support professionals such as school nurses, clinic staff, public health workers, or healthcare administrators who need fast access to reporting guidance during their workday.
Zan combined his work with Torrin’s project, strengthening the overall functionality of the app. Both students say the experience connects directly to their future goals: Torrin is interested in a career in software development, while Zan hopes to pursue video game development.
During a recent on-campus meeting, students presented their semi-completed prototype to Chelan-Douglas Health District leaders, including Health Director Kristen Hosey. Students demonstrated how the AI tool works, walked through user flowcharts, and updated the application in real time based on feedback. Representatives from NCW Tech Alliance were also present to support the students as they gathered input and discussed next steps.
Through internships like this, students are gaining more than technical skills. They’re applying their learning in real-world settings, contributing to community needs, and building clarity about their future career pathways.
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