What It’s Like to Attend SMASH Residential

Applications are open for SMASH Residential 2026! We’re looking for current 10th and 11th graders who are passionate about STEM, innovation, and making an impact. Join a vibrant community of peers and mentors committed to building the future of tech and science.

Program Dates: July 11 – July 31, 2026
Questions? Email programs@smash.org

A real look inside one of the best free STEM summer programs for high school students

Imagine waking up in a college dorm room, grabbing breakfast with your new friends, then heading to a hands-on computer science class taught by a college-level instructor. You spend your afternoon designing a prototype for a real-world problem, your evening in a career workshop, and your night laughing in the dorms with other students just as passionate and curious as you are.

That’s a day in the life at SMASH Academy — one of the nation’s top free residential STEM summer programs for high school students.

Every summer, SMASH brings together hundreds of rising 10th and 11th graders from across the country to live and learn on college campuses like Spelman College, UC Berkeley, and the University of Michigan. It’s not a camp. It’s not just classes. It’s a launchpad for your future.

You’ll Live Like a College Student

The moment you arrive on campus, something shifts. For many SMASH scholars, it’s their first time staying in a college dorm. You move in, unpack, meet your roommate, and take your first deep breath of independence.

You’ll eat in the dining hall, attend workshops in college classrooms, and explore the campus between sessions. Whether you’re walking to your first coding class or staying up late talking about your goals with new friends, SMASH gives you a taste of college life – and the confidence that you belong there.

It’s not always easy. You’ll miss home sometimes. You’ll be challenged in ways you haven’t before. But by the end of the program, you’ll leave feeling more prepared, more driven, and more sure of what you want next.

You’ll Learn by Doing

At SMASH, you don’t just take classes. You solve problems.

You’ll explore topics like computer science, engineering, entrepreneurship, and math for real-world problem-solving. The curriculum is project-based and interactive, which means you’ll spend your time building, pitching, coding, testing, and collaborating.

You might design an app to reduce food waste. Or build a prototype for an eco-friendly device. Or work with your team on a presentation about AI and ethics. One of the best parts? These aren’t just school assignments — they’re things that matter.

By the time you leave, you’ll have built real skills in STEM, grown your confidence in public speaking and teamwork, and developed a deeper sense of purpose around what kind of future you want to create.

You’ll Find Your People

One of the most powerful parts of SMASH is the community. You’re surrounded by students who care about the same things you do — not just science or tech, but making a difference. Some scholars come in shy. Some are outgoing. Some aren’t sure if they even want to pursue a STEM career. But what you’ll all share is curiosity, creativity, and the drive to build something bigger than yourselves.

You’ll spend time in small groups called cohorts where you get to know each other deeply. You’ll meet mentors and college students who’ve been where you are. You’ll attend workshops where you’ll talk about everything from career planning to personal growth. And most importantly, you’ll be reminded every day that you’re not alone. There’s a whole community of people rooting for you.

You’ll Be Inspired to Think Bigger

SMASH isn’t just about the now. It’s about what’s next.

Throughout the program, you’ll hear from professionals in tech, science, engineering, business, and education. You’ll learn how they got started, what challenges they faced, and how they built careers they care about.

You’ll also get expert college guidance: personal statement prep, financial aid tips, and Q&As with current college students. By the end of the summer, you won’t just feel more ready for college — you’ll feel excited for it.

And the results speak for themselves:

100% of SMASH scholars go on to college
85% graduate college
70% earn a degree in a STEM field

Our alumni go on to schools like:

Stanford University
Spelman College
MIT
UC Berkeley
Harvard University
University of Michigan
Georgia Tech
UCLA

And into careers at companies like Google, Genentech, NASA, and their own startups.

Who Should Apply?

If you’re a current 9th or 10th grader who’s curious about science, technology, problem-solving, or leadership — SMASH Academy might be for you. You don’t need to be a “perfect” student or know exactly what you want to do. You just need to be open to learning, excited about meeting new people, and ready to challenge yourself.

And yes — it’s 100% free.

SMASH is looking for high school students who are ready to take their learning to the next level and spend the summer building toward something bigger.

Ready to Start?
Applications for next summer open this fall — and you don’t want to miss it.

Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when they launch.
In the meantime, follow us on Instagram @smash_program and check out past recaps on our YouTube channel to see what SMASH is all about.

SMASH Residential Scholar Applications – Now Open!