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Academic Initiative

SMASH Academy

Program Overview

  • Overview SMASH Academy, our flagship program, is a FREE, 1-year, intensive CS-focused program that empowers students to deepen their talents and pursue CS careers. Scholars are immersed in tuition-free studies in partnership with leading universities throughout the country for one summer. During the program, scholars build relationships with facilitators and CS professionals that reflect their same demographics. Because of their common background, students connect more deeply with gain true mentorship from these CS professionals. As they go through the program, scholars not only develop their skills and network – they also further develop their voice and build the confidence to become who they want to be. What is SMASH’s role? Since 2013, the SMASH program has integrated computer science as a focal content area in order to increase scholars’ computing skills and knowledge. Over the course of the program, scholars participate in a 3-year sequenced project-based learning curriculum to increase their interest, engagement, and knowledge of computing content. SMASH empowers our scholars to be agents of change through a three-year project-based learning program to critically analyze problems facing their communities and create STEM based solutions utilizing a design thinking framework. Dates July 6th – July 26th, 2024 Eligibility Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements listed below in order to be considered for SMASH (no exceptions). (https://www.smash.org/apply/) – GPA: Must have minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent. – Grade Level: Be in the 10th or 11th grade at the time of application. – Math Skills: Have strong mathematics skills appropriate for your grade level, as determined by your state standardized math test scores. – Attend a public high school or private high school via scholarship. – Location: SMASH Academy will give preference to applicants who attend our target schools within the radius at our current SMASH locations: Atlanta, Boston, Detroit/Ann Arbor, and Bay Area. However, if your school is not on the list and you live within the radius, you are still welcome to apply. – CS Interest: Must have a strong interest in obtaining a computer science degree or certification and pursuing a career in CS. – Applicants to SMASH Morehouse must be male, and SMASH Spelman must be female. See if you are eligible: https://www.smash.org/apply/ Housing Residential Curriculum Design Thinking, Computer Science, SEL, CS Pathways, and more. Students receive a laptop to use during the summer academy. Cost Free

Benefits

  • How SMASH Academy works Beginning the summer after their 10th and 11th grade year of high school, scholars gain access to the following: – A free summer of residential programming – Computer Science (CS), STEM Workshop, College Success,CS Pathways, and Electives courses – Networking events with CS and STEM professionals – A robust community of peers and support that will last a lifetime During the program, scholars build relationships with facilitators and CS professionals that reflect their same demographics. Because of their common background, students connect more deeply with gain true mentorship from these CS professionals. As they go through the program, scholars not only develop their skills and network – they also further develop their voice and build the confidence to become who they want to be. Short-term Outcomes STEM-focused college path preparation STEM-focused college and career aspirations Peer and adult networks Sense of positive STEM identity Long-term Outcomes Entrance to and persistence in STEM major and career Sense of belonging and communication to STEM community Sense of positive STEM identity

Program Contact

  • Tariq Draine
  • tariq.draine@smash.org

Location

  • Southeast
  • Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Atlanta, GA 30302, USA

Type Of Program

Audience

  • Pre-Collegiate

Discipline(s)

  • Computer Science

History

Established

2004

Individuals Served

  • 1,001-2,000

Research, Roles & Responsibilities

Identity & Inclusion

  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations are in high demand and continue to be among the fastest growing within the 21st century workforce across the US economy (BLS, 2017). And yet, despite comprising 27% of the US Population, only 11% of science and engineering jobs are held by Black, Latinx, and Native American workers (NSF, 2018). Eliminating the barriers facing Black, Latinx, and Native American students who have the desire to enter STEM and computing professions has the potential to meet the projected demand for STEM workers in our future workforce, while broadening the economic opportunities of underrepresented communities of color. Moreover, by investing in youth of color to enter and persist in STEM and computing occupations, they develop the skills to engage in the modern workforce while being empowered to leverage their lived experiences to solve the most pressing problems facing society (Bobb, 2016).

Diversity Groups (Social Identity)

  • First-Generation

  • Historically Excluded

  • Historically Underrepresented

Race/Ethnic Minority Group

  • African American/Black

  • Alaska Natives

  • Hispanic/Latino

  • Native American

  • Native Hawaiians

  • Pacific Islander

Inclusionary Practices/Activities

  • Creation Of A Safe Space/ Climate/Environment

  • Development Of Academic Sense Of Belongingness (E.G. Meetings With Doctoral Scholars, Peer Researchers, Exchanges At Academic Conferences)

Voice

Empowering Activities

  • Mentoring Opportunities

  • Other

Expectation

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  This material is based upon work partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. and 1818458 and 2010676. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed on this site are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation

Copyright © 2021 Academic Pipeline Project

 

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