Meet Nikhil | Co-Founder and President of Project SHINE

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikhil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikhil, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Since my freshman year of high school, I’ve believed that STEM education should never be a privilege, but a right. Every student—regardless of background or learning style—deserves equitable access to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. That belief is what led me to co-found Project SHINE.

Project SHINE began at our local library, where we hosted interactive STEM workshops for young students. Each session introduced a STEM concept in simplified terms, and concluded with a hands-on experiment. As we worked with students—many of whom were special needs or enrolled in altered curriculum programs—we quickly noticed a gap in traditional STEM education in our county. Neurodivergent students were just as capable and curious as any other, yet often lacked meaningful exposure to STEM in their school settings.

Our thought process centered on serving as a bridge between the school system and these students. We did not want to replace classroom teaching, but to enrich it by simplifying complex ideas, incorporating hands-on learning, and presenting STEM in ways that were accessible and engaging. More importantly, our thought process was focused on building confidence alongside content, creating an environment where students felt supported, capable, and excited to learn.

At its core, Project SHINE was built on the belief that exposure builds confidence, and confidence creates opportunity. By expanding access to high-quality STEM experiences, we hope to empower students who have the potential to shape the future of STEM, if only given the chance.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets Project SHINE apart is our emphasis on being an intracurricular organization. We didn’t want to just exist outside the classroom, but rather to work alongside it. Every workshop and STEM kit is intentionally aligned with the current school curriculum, allowing teachers to seamlessly integrate hands-on learning into what students are already studying. This approach ensures that our programs are not just engaging, but educationally meaningful and sustainable within schools.

What I am most proud of is our ability to bring these workshops into over 10 schools and reach students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Working with students of different ages, backgrounds, and learning abilities has been incredibly eye-opening. Each classroom brings a new perspective, and interacting with such a diverse group of students has strengthened my own ability to listen, adapt, and lead with empathy. Our workshops are filled with smiles, laughter, and curiosity, and seeing students genuinely excited about learning is the most rewarding part of this work.

Getting to where we are today was not easy. As a student-led organization, we faced challenges earning trust, securing funding, and translating our vision into programs that schools could realistically adopt. We overcame these obstacles by listening—listening to teachers, administrators, students, and parents—and continuously refining our work based on their feedback. Additionally, for over a year, Project SHINE operated solely through monthly workshops at our local library. Reaching the scale we have today required patience, persistence, and a genuine passion for the mission. That steady growth, combined with adaptability and collaboration, ultimately allowed us to build the strong school partnerships Project SHINE has today.

Along the way, I’ve learned that impact is not about scale alone, but about intention. When programs are built with purpose, inclusivity, and care, growth follows naturally. What I want the world to know about Project SHINE is that we are proof that meaningful change can start small—with a single workshop—and grow into something that touches hundreds of students. At our core, we believe that access creates confidence, and confidence creates opportunity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: The BeltLine & Ponce City Market
I’d start the week on the Atlanta BeltLine, walking the Eastside Trail to soak in the city’s energy. We’d end at Ponce City Market, grabbing food, exploring the rooftop, and watching the city from above. It’s the perfect introduction to Atlanta’s mix of history and modern culture.

Day 2: Culture at the Fox Theatre
Day two would be all about classic Atlanta culture with a show at the Fox Theatre. Whether it’s a concert, comedy show, or musical, the atmosphere alone makes it unforgettable. Walking out into Midtown afterward always feels like the city is buzzing a little louder.

Day 3: Sports Night
If you want to understand Atlanta, you have to experience a game. We’d either catch an event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or, if you’re a basketball fan like me, a Hawks game at State Farm Arena.

Day 4: Atlanta Botanical Garden
After a few high-energy days, I’d slow things down at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It’s peaceful, visually stunning, and a great reminder that Atlanta really is a city in the trees. It’s the perfect reset in the middle of a busy week.

Day 5: World of Coca-Cola + Downtown
One day would be reserved for downtown, starting at the World of Coca-Cola. It’s a fun way to tap into a brand that’s deeply tied to Atlanta’s identity. From there, we’d walk around Centennial Olympic Park and just take in how much history is packed into that area.

Day 6: Exploring Neighborhoods
This day would be about exploring neighborhoods, places where Atlanta feels most authentic. Grabbing food, checking out local spots, and letting the day unfold naturally shows how diverse and creative the city really is.

Day 7: One Last Walk on the BeltLine
To wrap things up, I’d go back to the BeltLine for one last walk, reflecting on the week and soaking in the city one more time. Atlanta leaves an impression not because of one landmark, but because of how all these experiences connect.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to recognize the Forsyth County Board of Education for their continued support of Project SHINE. The Board has funded our workshops and STEM kits for nearly a year and has given us the opportunity to present our work to hundreds of Forsyth County teachers. Most importantly, their support allowed us to develop sustained partnerships with over 10 schools across the district, integrating Project SHINE’s workshops and kits into school-based learning. We are incredibly grateful for the Board’s trust and commitment to expanding equitable STEM opportunities.

I would also like to give special credit to my Chemistry teacher, Mr. Lynam, who serves as our organization’s sponsor. From helping establish funding accounts to advising us on how to sustainably expand our impact, his guidance and commitment have been invaluable, and we are incredibly grateful for his continued support.

Website: projectshineofficial.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectshine_org_official/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhil-fernandes-05556136a

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@ProjectSHINE-u8r