Know a ninth grade student who enjoys a challenge, would like to experience college life and is ready to prepare for a future in STEM?

SMASH Wayne State — an initiative to expose and engage underserved high school students in the greater metro Detroit area to science, technology, engineering and mathematics — is accepting applications for its next cohort of future leaders. In addition to rigorous STEM classes, SMASH Wayne State incorporates courses in writing, entrepreneurship and social justice to constitute a well-balanced curriculum. There are also networking events, workshops and guest speakers. Ninth graders can apply at smash.org/apply.

“When a student becomes a SMASH scholar, they sign up for much more than summer school or a summer camp,” said SMASH Wayne State Site Director John Ray. “SMASH Academy is not only rigorous but also fun — our scholars do everything from building a website to making a business pitch to networking with engineers. When you join SMASH, you join a family of individuals who care about you, your academics, your growth and your success.”

During the five-week summer program, students will:

• Live and study at Wayne State
• Focus on building the academic and life skills essential to succeed in STEM
• Connect with STEM professionals of color
• Build a robust community of support
• Make friendships that last a lifetime

Last spring, Wayne State announced its partnership with SMASH, the signature education program of the Kapor Center in California. SMASH aims to level the playing field in tech and close the gap for minorities and women. The program was established 15 years ago at the University of California, Berkeley and launched its first Midwest location in Detroit. The three-year STEM accelerator is free of charge and has a proven model, as 100 percent of its scholars graduate high school and more than 90 percent obtain a college degree. SMASH scholars also graduate with a degree in STEM at a rate two times higher than the national average.

For more information about the program, visit smash.org. For partnership opportunities and questions, contact Ray at john@smash.org.