SMASH: Diversify STEM to change the world

Our Vision is a STEM ecosystem where every student, regardless of the zip code they grew up in, has the opportunity to participate in and thrive in the global economy.

SMASH is a free, multi-year STEM-intensive program that takes a long-term and holistic approach to developing low-income, first-generation college students who will not only thrive in STEM careers but use their skills to effectuate change in their communities. Our mission is to build a strong, diverse, and socially conscious workforce by leveling the playing field through academic learning. To date, SMASH has provided over 50,000 hours of education and its scholars have a 100% high school graduation rate.

SMASH Academy, our flagship program, is a FREE, 3 year, intensive STEM-focused college prep program that empowers students to deepen their talents and pursue STEM careers. For 4 – 5 weeks every summer, scholars are immersed in tuition-free studies in partnership with leading universities throughout the country. During the academic year, scholars participate in monthly programming.

SMASH Rising places teams of SMASH alumni at tech workplaces to provide internship preparation and workplace exposure early in their college careers. This is a paid internship for SMASH Academy Alumni entering their first, second, and third years of college. The program, supported by dedicated project managers, allows Scholar-Intern teams to put the skills developed at SMASH Academy into action.

SMASH ADMIT is SMASH’s year-long senior program focused on college admission + exposure for our alumni in their senior year of high school. Additionally, we are piloting a new upcoming SMASH STEM career exploration digital platform for underrepresented students of color to be able to see and hear from tech professionals who look like our scholars. Our alumni consistently perform higher than their peers and the national average on key post-secondary academic indicators. Our alumni programming provides coaching, networking, internships, and other supports that help SMASH alumni transition into college and the workforce.

In 2020, we launched our very first virtual program for SMASH Academy and SMASH Rising as our university and corporate partners closed in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. SMASH has served 1000+ scholars and alumni across the nation through SMASH Academy, held at 10 college campuses, and Rising programs, in partnership with 15 innovative firms.

We look forward to your support to help us to continue to SMASH barriers.

Charity Name
SMASH
Photo Caption
Our Vision is a STEM ecosystem where every student, regardless of the zip code they grew up in, has the opportunity to participate in and thrive in the global economy.
Photo Credit
SMASH.org