Science & Math Investigative Learning Experiences

(The S.M.I.L.E. Program)

A pre-college science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) academic after-school program for underrepresented students in grades 4th-12th.

Elementary Outdoor Science Adventure!

April 26-28, 2013 - SMILE 4th and 5th graders had a blast at this year's Elementary Outdoor Science Adventure at Alton Jones. The URI students did an incredible job teaching hands-on environmental science and instilling the importance of lifelong learning and environmental stewardship. Everyone left the weekend feeling a little (or a lot) changed for the better. That's what time in nature with friends can do.

High School Engineering Challenge Weekend!

March 22-23, 2013 - This year, approximately 100 high school students successfully designed and tested solar vehicles! Teams built their own transmissions and designed every aspect of their vehicles. Of course, speed was measured, but we also looked at technical precision, aerodynamics, transmission design, and placement of soda can (which was the "cargo space"). Students did a great job as usual!

National Recognition: NSTA Writes Article About SMILE

March 12, 2013 - Check out the article that the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) wrote about SMILE and another effective afterschool program in NYC!

Read the article here

Collegiate SMILE Becomes Senate-Recognized at URI

March 2013 - There are 75 students currently at URI who were in The SMILE Program in elementary, middle, and/or high school. Many of them decided to start a Collegiate SMILE organization at URI with their own mission. Please check out their website to learn more.

Collegiate SMILE Webpage

Middle School Engineering Challenge Weekend!

March 1-2, 2013 - This year, students successfully designed blades, built the nacelle and blades, and tested to see how much voltage their wind turbine could produce. Students met lots of new friends and got to experience URI's campus. The challenge was introduced by Mark DePasquale (Wind Energy Development, LLC). He invited students to visit his wind turbine, which was recently erected in North Kingstown. This field trip will take place in the spring!

More Challenge Photos

Narragansett Times Article about MS Challenge

Family Science Nights are in full swing

November/December, 2012 - Family Science Nights bring together SMILE students, their families, community members, and administrators. Students enthusiastically demonstrate interactive science activities. This year, they taught us about their local watershed. Students and parents also learn more about college admission. And you can't beat these potlucks!

Winter Professional Development at URI

November 30, 2012 - Elementary, middle, and high school SMILE teachers attended a workshop at the University of Rhode Island. Elementary will make discoveries about ecosystems, habitats, and population diversity; middle will be investigating wind turbines; and high school will be delving into vehicle design and solar power.

SMILE Annual Report Update

Please note that there was a mistake in SMILE's 2011-2012 Annual Report. On page 10 of the report, it stated that "only 59 percent of applicants are admitted to the program [Program in Liberal Medical Education]." In fact, only 4% of applicants were admitted to the PLME program this year. Brown accepted only 115 students from close to 2900 applicants. The enrollment, however, was of only 61 students, and only 2 of them were from RI, including David Hernandez, a SMILE alumnus! Our apologies for the typo!

Summer Teacher Workshops!

July 17-19, 2012 - SMILE teacher leaders came to URI for the rolling out of the brand new Watershed Monitoring curriculum. Despite the heat, we practiced the outdoor investigations, looking at water quality, macroinvertebrates, wildlife, and vegetation. Thanks, as usual, to all those that volunteered their expertise at the workshop (Chris Mason, President of Mason & Associates, Inc., Lorraine Joubert, NEMO Director, Matt Deane, MESM student, Denise Poyer, Program Director at Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association, Neil Anthes, Kettle Pond Visitor Center, and Josh Sargent, URI Watershed Watch). Also, a special thanks to Cathy Valentino, Author-in-Residence at Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Publishers, who always brings inspiration to teachers.

More Workshop Photos

Field Trip to GSO!

May 14 & 15, 2012 - High School SMILE students took a field trip to the Graduate School of Oceanography. They tested their ROVs in Narragansett Bay, captured phytoplankton, collected water samples to do bacterial counts, and used a YSI device to collect water data. Science in the real world! Thank you to the volunteers from EPSCoR, GSO, and the Dep't of Health for your expertise!

More Field Trip PHOTOS

Central Falls High School SMILE Students Plant a Rain Garden!

May 8, 2012 - CFHS SMILE students planted a rain garden at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and Charles Street in Central Falls as part of their Watershed Stewardship Project and the city's Chocolate Mill Overlook project (http://www.chocolatemilloverlook.com/). Nice job guys!

More Rain Garden PHOTOS

Elementary Outdoor Science Adventure!

April 27-29, 2012 - This event to remember for all involved - it is life-changing for SMILE students and college students alike. URI students spend a semester planning and preparing for making the EOSA a meaningful and powerful weekend for the 4th and 5th grade SMILE students. They plan environmental field studies and think about ways to build self-esteem and confidence in these incredible young people and encourage them to continue with SMILE through 12th grade and to attend higher education. Most importantly, their love for learning and spirit of fun and adventure is fostered. It was a huge success.

More EOSA PHOTOS

Middle School Engineering Challenge Weekend!

March 30-31, 2012 - This year, middle school students designed, built, and tested Magnetically Levitated Trains and Hydraulic Cranes! All teams were successful!

More Middle School Challenge PHOTOS

High School Engineering Challenge Weekend!

March 2-3, 2012 - This year, high school students designed, built, and tested Remotely Operated Vehicles to "Save the Lobster!"

More High School Challenge PHOTOS

EOSA Videos!

March 28, 2012 - This year, URI mentors who will be teaching SMILE elementary students at Alton Jones this Spring put together videos for the students!