SMILE Clubs
WHAT IS A SMILE CLUB?
A SMILE Club is an after-school STEM program designed to support students who may benefit from additional academic enrichment and college readiness opportunities. Clubs meet weekly for one to two hours and focus on hands-on STEM activities. They are organized by grade level and typically include about 20 students per club. Most clubs are based in local schools and are led by the school’s math or science teachers.
WHY SMILE WORKS
There are four main elements that make the program successful:
- Teacher Professional Development: Teachers are required to participate in annual workshops
- The Pathway: SMILE is a continuous program, spanning from 4th to 12th grade. It includes weekly club meetings and annual events
- College Connection: SMILE links students to Oregon's public universities and promotes college and career awareness
- Statewide Community: Supportive network of clubs in rural communities across Oregon
SMILE TEACHERS
Each club is led by one or two club teachers, depending on the number of students. They are typically math or science teachers from the school. These teachers commit to planning and facilitating weekly, after school SMILE Club meetings, occasional field trips, and to holding an annual SMILE Family Math and Science Night for their school community. Teachers also prepare students and bring them to the annual SMILE Challenge and College Connection events. Teachers must agree to attend two to three professional development workshops coordinated by SMILE during the school year.
