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SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) Program records, 1988-2025

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon State University SMILE (Program)
Title
SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) Program records
Dates
1988-2025 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.50 cubic feet, (2 boxes, including 3 CDs)
Collection Number
RG 323
Summary
The SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) Program works to increase underrepresented students’ success in STEM degree programs and careers, and deliver high-quality teacher professional development. The records document SMILE’s work beginning with its founding in 1988, with particular emphasis on science and math programs for students grade 4 through 12, workshops for teachers, and articles highlighting their work.

Of particular pride to the program is the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring awarded by President Bill Clinton in 1999 and again by President Joe Biden in 2025.

The CDs described in this collection require migration to a digital format and are not immediately available for patron use. Please see SCARC’s “Accessing Audio-Visual Content” policy for more information.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English, Spanish;Castilian
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Historical Note

The SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) Program works to increase underrepresented students’ success in STEM degree programs and careers and deliver high-quality teacher professional development. SMILE began in 1988, serving 80 students in four middle schools. The program has grown to serve over 700 elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as over 65 teachers in over 35 schools across Oregon. The SMILE Program was replicated in Rhode Island.

The program was established by Oregon State University faculty in Academic Affairs and the College of Science in 1988. Miriam “Mimi” Orzech (1931-2018) helped found the program and served as its director until 1994. Susan Borden (1939-) served as director from 1994 until 1999, having been assistant director and program coordinator under Orzech. Other directors include Eda Davis-Butts and Ryan Collay.

SMILE functions as a pipeline; students may apply in the 4th grade and continue through the 12th grade. SMILE has a year-round schedule of hands-on activities. These include after-school clubs, college connection events, and STARS (the summer program for SMILE graduates attending Oregon State University). SMILE also conducts professional development workshops for the teachers who serve as SMILE club advisors in their communities.

Today, the SMILE Program engages students in STEM activities that incorporate art, design, and communication, and contribute to creative and innovative problem solving.  SMILE Clubs — groups of 20 students organized by grade level — meet weekly after school. These meetings serve as testing grounds for teachers to introduce, evaluate, and adapt new activities for their regular classrooms. The clubs take field trips during the school year to learn about scientific principles in action. Students meet scientists and engineers who teach them how science and math are used every day and introduce them to new careers. Additionally, SMILE supports community projects linked to STEM research.

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Content Description

The SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) Program Records document SMILE’s work beginning with its founding in 1988. Larger amount of material covers various science and math programs for students grade 4 through 12 (including challenge weekends, outdoor science adventure, and summer camps), teacher workshops, and articles highlighting SMILE’s work. Other items include annual reports, brochures, correspondence, handbook, letters of support, newsletters, photographs, and year in review summaries. Also documented is the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, which SMILE won in 1999 and 2025.

The CDs described in this collection require migration to a digital format and are not immediately available for patron use. Please see SCARC’s “Accessing Audio-Visual Content” policy for more information.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

SMILE Program records (RG 323), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Folders are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.

Related Materials

Oral history interviews are available with former SMILE Program directors Miriam Orzech and Sue Borden.

Other collections that have material related to the SMILE Program include: University Advancement videotapes (FV 210), Office of Multicultural Affairs records (RG 225), College of Science records (RG 024), Oregon Multicultural Communities Resource collection (MSS OMCRC), Jean Mater papers (MSS Mater), and Peace Jam Northwest records (RG 257).

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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Subject Terms

  • High school students--Oregon.
  • Minorities--Oregon.
  • Teachers--Training of--Oregon.

Finding Aid Authors: Ashley Williams Clawson.
2025

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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