July 16, 2025

What Makes SMASH Different? Real-World STEM Learning for High School Students

Why project-based, career-connected learning matters — and how SMASH makes it happen

If you’ve ever sat through a class wondering when you’d actually use what you’re learning, you’re not alone. At SMASH Academy, we hear it all the time: “This is the first time STEM feels real.”

That’s because SMASH doesn’t just teach you facts. It gives you a chance to build things, explore your interests, and solve real problems that matter to you and your community.

SMASH is a free, year-long STEM program for high school students that’s designed to help rising 10th and 11th graders get hands-on experience in science, tech, and engineering. Whether you’re just starting to explore your interests or already coding your own apps, SMASH meets you where you are and challenges you to grow.

From Learning About Tech to Doing Something With It

Lots of schools offer STEM classes. But not all of them give you a chance to apply what you’re learning to real life.

At SMASH, every course is project-based, which means you're not just memorizing — you're building.

You might:

Write your first lines of code in a Python workshop
Design a pitch for a mental health app
Build a prototype that helps reduce waste on campus
Use design thinking to solve a challenge facing your community

These projects aren’t hypothetical. They’re grounded in the real world — and that’s what makes them exciting. You’ll get to test your ideas, work with teammates, and build confidence as a creator, not just a student.

What Courses Do SMASH Scholars Take?

The courses vary by site and summer, but some of the most popular include:

Introduction to Computer Science
Learn the building blocks of coding, with tools like Python and HTML. No prior experience needed.
Engineering & Design
Explore problem-solving through hands-on building, prototyping, and creative invention.
Math for Innovation
See how mathematical thinking applies to the real world — not just to a test.
Entrepreneurship & Pitching
Work in teams to identify a need, build a solution, and pitch your idea to a panel of judges.
Artificial Intelligence & Ethics
Learn what AI is, how it’s used today, and why your generation matters in shaping its future.

These courses help students build real-world experience in STEM, explore potential careers, and discover what they’re good at — and what they love.

It’s About More Than Academics

Yes, SMASH is academic — but it’s also about career exposure and building your future.

Throughout the summer, you’ll:

Attend workshops on public speaking, leadership, and creative problem-solving
Visit tech companies, labs, and startup incubators
Hear from professionals working in AI, environmental science, health tech, and more
Learn how to network and tell your story
Get early guidance on college pathways and scholarship opportunities

By the end of your SMASH summer, you’ll walk away with more than new knowledge. You’ll have a portfolio of work, mentors you can reach out to, and a much clearer picture of what’s possible for you in STEM.

Why This Matters

Most high school students don’t get access to this kind of experience. SMASH was created to close that gap — to give students who are motivated, creative, and curious the space to explore STEM without the pressure to already know everything.

If you’re asking yourself,

“Am I smart enough?”
“Will I fit in?”
“Do I belong in tech?”

The answer is yes. And SMASH is built to help you figure out what’s next.

SMASH students go on to do big things — not because they have it all figured out, but because they got the chance to try, build, and grow in a space that supports them.

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.

Where SMASH Can Lead You

SMASH Scholars have gone on to attend:

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

They’ve landed internships at places like Google, NASA, Genentech, and Microsoft — and many are now leading their own startups or working on solutions that make the world better.

And it starts with a summer. One summer.

Who Should Apply

If you’re a current 9th or 10th grader who’s curious about science, technology, coding, engineering, or problem-solving, you should seriously consider applying to SMASH Academy.

You don’t need to have taken STEM classes before.
You don’t need a 4.0 GPA.
You just need to be willing to show up, try something new, and challenge yourself.

And yes — it’s completely free.

This is more than a summer camp. It’s a place where you can test-drive your future.

How to Get Started

Applications for next summer open this fall. To be the first to know when they launch, visit www.smash.org and sign up for updates.

If you’ve been looking for a STEM summer program for high school students that’s more than just books and lectures — SMASH might be exactly what you need.

Let your ideas grow.
Build something real.
Start your story at SMASH.