Dear SMASH Community,

Watching COVID-19 unfold has reinforced our belief in the SMASH learning model – delivering an integrated, design focused STEM education.  Seeing technologists, data scientists and epidemiologists come together to understand the spread of the disease and to direct resources where they will be most needed further demonstrates that the skills that our Scholars are developing are very much required by our society.

In light of the evolving pandemic, we are proactively moving to a “virtual learning” program this summer.  As our university partners focus on protecting their students, staff and communities, as well as work to ensure that students can safely resume their studies in the fall,  most have cancelled their summer on-campus programs and we expect more of them to do the same.

In addition, we have also shifted the start date for our next cohort of Academy Scholars.  We made that decision as we did not not believe that we could effectively create strong bonds and culture with a new group of Scholars in a virtual environment..  As such, we are revising our first year curriculum and will look forward to convening the next class of Scholars this fall.

Needless to say, we will miss being together in person this summer as the residential experience helps us build deep and lasting relationships.  The residential Academy experience is still very much part of our 2021 plans and we look forward to being back on campuses with Scholars next year.  

Please take a look at our free resources to utilize for those during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have any questions please reach out to info@smash.org.