Oregon State University SMILE (Program)
SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) Program records
1988-2025
RG 323
1.50 cubic feet
2 boxes, including 3 CDs
Materials in English and Spanish;Castilian.
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR, 97331-4501
Phone: 541-737-2075
Email: scarc@oregonstate.edu
Web: http://scarc.library.oregonstate.edu/findingaids
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.
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.
High school students--Oregon.
Minorities--Oregon.
Teachers--Training of--Oregon.
African Americans
Children and youth
Elementary and secondary education
Latinos and Latinas
Oregon
Collection is open for research.
SMILE Program records (RG 323), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
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).
Folders are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
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.
Series 1
SMILE Records
1989-2025
1.01
About SMILE
1989-2010
1.02
Academic reports and reviews
1990-2010
Includes year in review type summaries along with strategic plan and enrollment numbers. Prepared for OSU.
1.03
Advisory Committee
1989-1996, 2007
1.04
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
1992-1993
1.05
Annual report
2004-2016
1.06
Awards
1991-1993, 1999
1.07
Brag!
1993-1997
Letters and articles in support and celebrating the SMILE program. Compiled so could be used in future.
1.08
Brochures
2017, undated
Likely covers 1989 to early 2010s.
1.09
The Campaign for OSU
2007
University-wide campaign. Booklet features SMILE Program.
1.10
Challenge weekend planning
1989
Keynote speaker and special guest Lt. Col. Jerry Ross, NASA astronaut.
1.11
Challenge weekend planning
1990
1.12
Challenge weekend programs
1989-1994, 2006-2012
Includes middle school, high school, and senior challenge weekends.
1.13
Clippings
1988-1991
1.14
Clippings
1992-1993
1.15
Clippings
1993-1996
1.16
Clippings
1996-1998
1.17
Clippings
1999-2003
1.18
Clippings
2002-2009
1.19
Clippings
2007-2021
1.20
Department of Energy
1991
1.21
Events calendar
2000-2010
1.22
French Prairie Middle School memories to SMILE
1995
1.23
History and awards
1994-2009
1.24
Interview answers
undated
Answers from three interviewees, who had children in the SMILE Program.
1.25
Letter to contributors
1989 January 18
1.26
Letters
1995-2017
Letters from students and teachers about benefits of SMILE.
1.27
Letters supporting SMILE
1997-2005
1.28
Mother/daughter science workshops
2007
1.29
On the road packets
undated
Includes "On the road to college, planning your future" and "On the road and through the air to camp, a travel packet of games and activities to challenge, entertain, and while away the time."
1.30
Outdoor science adventure
1992-1999
1.31
Outdoor science adventure
2000-2010
1.32
Presentation for QEM conference
1994
Held February 4-6, 1994 in Washington, DC.
1.33
Presidential award
1999
1.34
Presidential award
2025
1.35
Program event collages
2000-2001
Includes 31 photographs.
1.36
Program narrative draft
2014
Potentially used for grant application.
1.37
Publications - Coordinotes
1990-1994
1.38
Publications - SMILE Family Connections
2005
1.39
Publications - SMILE Update
1989-1995
2.01
Publications - SMILE Update
1996-1999
2.02
Publications - SMILE Update
2000-2003
2.03
Request for Spirit Mountain Community Fund support
2000
2.04
Responses to memo on SMILE grads going to college
1995
2.05
Rhode Island SMILE
1994-1997
2.06
Rhode Island SMILE newsletter
1995-1996, 2006-2010
2.07
Slide presentation outlines
circa 1990
List of slides used in presentations, with descriptions. Actual slides not included.
2.08
SMILE at ten years
circa 1998
2.09
SMILE Club, Forest Grove
circa 2017
Tom McCall Upper Elementary, Forest Grove.
2.10
SMILE in action
circa 2003
2.11
SMILE's program framework
circa 2014
Fostering college access and success through university/school/community partnerships.
2.12
SMILE Program handbook
2008
2.13
STARS program
1994-2007
Study techniques, academics, and research skills.
2.14
STEM gateway to your future
undated
2.15
Summer math camp
1989
2.16
Summer science camp
1991-1996
Summer workshop
2004
Genetics activities files. 3 CDs.
2.17
Teacher workshops
1994-2015
2.18
Testimonials
1987-1998
2.19
A treatment of indigenous plants in the Klamath Basin
1993 August
A joint effort between the Klamath Tribes, the U.S. Forest Service, and Chiloquin High School.