OSU's SMILE program grins at its longevity

After 20th year, SMILE hopes to continue science, math outreach to Oregon youth

By: Anneke Tucker

Posted: 5/30/08

The Oregon State University Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences program is smiling because last summer it unofficially became one of the organizations with the greatest longevity at OSU.

SMILE has spent the last 20 years serving high school, middle school and elementary school students through interactive and creative thinking programs and camps offered throughout the year at OSU.

The program aims to provide science and math enrichment for underrepresented and educationally underserved students from elementary school through high school.

SMILE is maintained by staff, but puts on its menagerie of activities with the help of a highly trained volunteer staff of graduate and undergraduate students.

Through partnerships and grants, SMILE participants and volunteers alike are exposed to all different kinds of research and science programs, such as JELD-WEN, the Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Cooperative Institute for Oceanographic Satellite Studies, or CIOSS.

Stephanie Beamer, a senior in biology and former SMILE participant now has the opportunity to facilitate and mentor the students in many of the activities.

"It's very hands-on for students," Beamer said. "With the camps, you are actively involved with students. It's unpredictable with the things the students come up with, or just hilarious things they do… it's a pretty full day."

In a recent national review for CIOSS, the institute received high remarks in its outreach program area, calling the connection with SMILE "a model program that should be given national dissemination," according to Ryan Collay, the programming and evaluation coordinator for the SMILE program.

"It is a great example of OSU's new commitment to outreach and engagement," Collay said.

As an outreach program, SMILE reaches about 700 students in 35 schools from as far away in the state as Nyssa and Ontario.

Some of SMILE's resources are materials focused on ocean sciences, an Outdoor Science Camp, a summer bridge to college and a high school challenge.

Jay Well, a past SMILE volunteer and 2003 graduate from OSU, made the trek from California and Utah, where he worked after graduation, to come back for the summers to work with the SMILE program.

"It was an obviously life-altering experience," Well said. "It changed my whole career focus."

Instead of doing lab research where he started his career, Well is now the programs coordinator for SMILE.

"Last year, we had over 150 student volunteers," Collay said. "There aren't a whole lot of programs who can say they had this magnitude of interest."

One recent project in Seaside allowed students to put together a communication plan focused on tsunami preparedness, creation, location and impact. The students then made and aired a public service announcement and designed signs and posters to build community awareness.

"Students can learn that it matters - their interest in science - and it applies to a real-world problem," Collay said.

"What happens here at OSU has an impact on their lives, and they can help solve those problems."

After their 20 years as an outreach program, SMILE sees no end in sight.

"We as a country need to be doing a better job of supporting [science, technical and mathematical] education," Collay said.

Collay said that SMILE seeks to continue building partnerships and leadership within its students for years to come.

To learn more or to become involved in the OSU SMILE program, visit the program's website at http://smile.

oregonstate.edu/.

Anneke Tucker, staff writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231