SMARTS Program

While many students take a break from school over the summer, 30-40 local high school students choose to take on a challenge. These students participate in CEED’s Annual Science Mathematics Achievement and Research Technology for Students Program. This program, also known as SMARTS, is a six-week summer college preparation program at UCLA designed to engage traditionally underrepresented students in rigorous science, technology, engineering and math instruction and training.

SMARTS participants engage in a number of activities, including math courses (Introduction to Statistics and AP Calculus Readiness), SAT preparation, research, and college and career planning workshops. A hallmark of SMARTS is the Research Apprentice Program (RAP). Through this unique opportunity, approximately 10 - 15 students are able to add research assistant to their portfolio, as they successfully complete six weeks of research in UCLA labs. Research projects, mentored by graduate students, are conducted in frontier engineering, science and computing areas which range from Nanotechnology to Molecular Genetics. The six-week experience is culminated with a closing ceremony where Research Apprentices formally present their projects to an audience of faculty, staff, parents and their peers.

SMARTS also engages students in the Industry Career Exploration, a luncheon that allows students the opportunity to interact with professional engineers and scientists. Representatives from the CEED Industry Advisory Board facilitate round-table sessions with students, discussing career opportunities and the steps needed to become an engineer or scientist.

The program is funded through a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) grant and through contributions from corporate members of the CEED Industry Advisory Board.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Currently enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade
2. Completion of any of the following math classes by June 2013:
   Algebra II or Calculus - if taking Statistics
   Trigonometry/Math Analysis/Pre-Calculus - it taking Calculus
   
3. Students who attend schools within the Los Angeles or Inglewood Unified School District and/or MESA participants will receive priority consideration
4. U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
5. Ability to commute daily to the UCLA campus

Note: If you are not in the 10th or 11th grade but will have completed either of the above classes, you may apply to the program.

Current 12th grade students are not eligible for this program.

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2013 SUMMER PROGRAM 

Date: July 1 - August 9, 2013
Times: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. If there is an event workshop, the day will end at 2:30 pm.
Place: University of California, Los Angeles Campus

Classes:

• AP Calculus Readiness
• Introductory to Statistics
  
• Research Apprentice Program
  
• Robotics
  
• SAT I Preparation

Career & College Planning Workshops (Friday Afternoons):

• Career Exploration Luncheon
• Financial Aid Workshop
• Hands-On Engineering Workshops (Tentative)
• Industry Facility Tours (Tentative)

Cost: There is no cost to participate in the SMARTS Program. Each student will be provided with books, calculators, a locker, computer accounts and a meal card while participating in the program. However, students will be responsible for transportation to and from UCLA.

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 The 2013 SMARTS Application is now available to download. Click the following link to to download the application: 2013 SMARTS Application

 A complete application packet must contain all of the following items:

a. Completed and signed SMARTS Application.
b. One-page essay based on questions provided (please make sure to have an adult proofread your essay before submission)
c. Two teacher recommendations using forms provided (each must be included in application packet in a sealed envelope with teacher's signature on flap)
d. Unofficial transcript

If you have any questions about the SMARTS Program, contact Catherine Douglas at (310) 206-6493 or cathyd@ea.ucla.edu

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Application Status

This year the SMARTS Program received over 150 applications. The SMARTS staff is currently in the process of reviewing all of the submitted applications. The status of each application will be listed by the end of the day on Friday May 17, 2013.

Forty students will be admitted to the 2013 SMARTS Program. Applicants will be notified of their admission status by Friday, May 31, 2013

Application Status Legend: