Oregon State University was recently awarded the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation, which serves as a continuation of its initial award in 2010. This is rare for “high research activity” universities; only 28 "high research" universities around the nation have been classified as community-engaged. The classification was first awarded based on the “alignment among mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement,” according to Carnegie Foundation President Anthony S. Bryk. #CarnegieCE2020

OSU Precollege Programs and particularly SMILE were acknowledged as examples of the university’s commitment to outreach and engagement. This is due to the program’s long history of reciprocal engagement with K-12 communities across Oregon, working to bridge research to public audiences and broadening participation in STEM.

Among SMILE’s current collaborations is the Regional Class Research Vessel Program, which is partnering with SMILE staff to create material for educator professional development and student engagement. So far, 17 unique research vessel-related lesson plans have been created and shared with educators on topics from whale feeding to crane engineering.

Precollege Programs is also a current partner of the Lemelson Foundation, bringing invention education to students. This partnership has produced several lesson plans related to the engineering design process, career exploration, and entrepreneurship.