The Science and Math Investigative Learning Experience (SMILE)
program celebrated its 20th birthday today. The SMILE Program is
a partnership between Oregon State University and 14 Oregon
school districts — mostly rural — to provide science and math
enrichment for underrepresented and other educationally
underserved students in grades 4-12. Part of OSUâ€™s College of
Education, the SMILE program has grown from serving 80 students
in four middle schools in 1988 to serving over 700 students and
66 teachers in 35 schools. A celebration was held in the
Memorial Union and was attended by President Ed Ray, SMILE
Program Director Eda Davis-Butts, and many other OSU Faculty and
Staff. Congratulations to the SMILE crew! Check out this
statement on the SMILE Program by President Ray: We must, as an
institution and a nation, make sure we provide the
opportunities, education, and means to attain social and
economic success for all people commensurate with their
abilities. The SMILE Program provides learning opportunities