Workshop Facilitator

SMASH and Inspiredu partner to expand digital access for Atlanta scholars. For students preparing for college, careers, and futures in STEM, access to technology is not a nice-to-have. It is foundational. A laptop can be a classroom, a research tool, a coding workspace, a college application portal, a creative studio, and a bridge to opportunity. It can help a student complete assignments, explore new interests, prepare for internships, apply for scholarships, and begin building the skills that shape the modern workforce. That idea came to life through the collaboration between SMASH and Inspiredu, two organizations working to expand opportunity for young people through STEM education, digital access, and community-centered learning. This summer, SMASH and Inspiredu partnered for the Inspiredu x SMASH Digital Literacy Workshop Series, an Atlanta-based collaboration designed to strengthen students' digital skills and connect them with the technology tools they need to keep learning and building beyond the workshop. As part of the partnership, Inspiredu provided laptops for participating SMASH Morehouse and SMASH Spelman scholars. For SMASH scholars, the workshop series was more than a one-day event. It was part of a broader pathway: access to STEM learning, exposure to college environments, connection to community partners, and the tools to pursue what comes next. Why digital access matters. Digital literacy is now part of how students learn, communicate, create, and prepare for the future. From completing schoolwork to researching colleges, building resumes, applying for programs, exploring AI tools, learning to code, or collaborating on projects, students need reliable access to technology to fully participate in today's education and career landscape. But access is not evenly distributed. Too many students still struggle to have reliable devices, digital tools, and the support needed to use technology with confidence. That is where Inspiredu's work meets SMASH's mission. SMASH has spent over 25 years preparing students for STEM degrees, careers, and leadership through rigorous, cost-free programming, college exposure, and career-connected opportunities. Inspiredu works to bridge the digital divide in Atlanta by refurbishing donated laptops and providing them to community members who complete digital literacy training. Inspiredu's laptop program includes Windows OS, one year of Windows Defender, and one year of tech support from Leapfrog. Together, SMASH and Inspiredu are connecting two sides of the same equation: preparing students for STEM opportunities and making sure they have the tools to pursue them. A partnership rooted in access, learning, and community. The collaboration between SMASH and Inspiredu was formalized for the first time this year in 2026. The agreement establishes a collaborative framework for a facilitated workshop and in-kind laptop exchange, engaging youth and community stakeholders in solving real-world challenges through innovation and technology. Through the partnership, SMASH will support the collaboration through venue access at Morehouse College, student recruitment, local communications, registration support, participant communication, and on-site branding. Inspiredu will provide technology access, educational workshop content, laptops for participating scholars, event coordination, marketing support, and post-event data sharing. The result is a partnership that is both practical and deeply mission-aligned. SMASH scholars will receive more than a device. They will participate in a basic digital literacy learning experience designed to help them strengthen skills, build confidence, and understand how technology can support their education, career exploration, and future goals. Inspiredu brings local expertise in digital access and community-based technology programming. SMASH brings a long-standing commitment to preparing students from underrepresented communities to thrive in STEM. Together, the organizations are investing in students' immediate needs and long-term potential. What scholars experienced. During the Inspiredu x SMASH Digital Literacy Workshop Series, students took part in a facilitated learning experience focused on digital skills, technology access, and real-world application. The partnership framework centered on hands-on learning and access. SMASH scholars participated in a facilitated workshop focused on engaging youth and community stakeholders in solving real-world challenges through innovation and technology. For SMASH scholars, that experience built on the larger arc of their summer program. Students were not just learning about STEM in the abstract. They were building the skills, relationships, and confidence to see themselves as future engineers, technologists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers. The laptop each participating scholar received can support that journey long after the workshop ends. It can help them complete summer assignments, explore coding tools, prepare for college applications, research career pathways, build projects, and stay connected to learning opportunities. Why Atlanta, Morehouse, and Spelman matter. Hosting this collaboration in Atlanta, with scholars connected to Morehouse and Spelman, added another layer of meaning. Atlanta is a city shaped by education, innovation, civil rights history, entrepreneurship, and a growing technology ecosystem. Morehouse and Spelman represent powerful legacies of Black excellence, leadership, scholarship, and community impact. Bringing digital literacy programming and laptop access to SMASH scholars in this context was not just about supporting students for one workshop or one summer. It was about investing in young people who are already preparing to lead in STEM, technology, and innovation. For students in the room, the workshop series offered a chance to build practical digital skills while being surrounded by institutions and organizations that reflect what is possible. It connected access with aspiration. It connected learning with tools. It connected local partnership with long-term opportunity. Shared mission, shared impact. SMASH and Inspiredu approached the work from different but deeply connected angles. SMASH focuses on preparing students for STEM pathways through rigorous academic learning, college exposure, mentorship, and career-connected experiences. Inspiredu focuses on bridging the digital divide by connecting learners with devices, training, and ongoing support. Together, the organizations addressed both opportunity and access. Students need strong STEM programming, but they also need reliable technology. They need exposure to careers, but they also need the tools to complete assignments, explore ideas, and practice the digital skills that shape modern learning. They need encouragement, but they also need infrastructure. That is what made this collaboration meaningful: it was local, practical, and rooted in long-term student success. "At SMASH, we know that talent is everywhere, but access to opportunity is not," CEO of SMASH Jonathan Durfield said. "This partnership with Inspiredu helps ensure our scholars have both the STEM learning experiences and the technology tools needed to pursue their goals." For Inspiredu CEO Richard Hicks, the connection is clear. Suggested quote direction: "Digital access is essential to opportunity. Through this partnership with SMASH, we're proud to help equip students with the tools and skills they need to keep learning, building, and preparing for their futures." Partnerships that power the future of STEM. As SMASH celebrates 25 years of expanding access to STEM education, partnerships like this reflect what the next chapter of the work requires. No single organization can close opportunity gaps alone. Building a more inclusive STEM workforce takes schools, nonprofits, funders, employers, community organizations, and local leaders working together to create stronger pathways for students. The Inspiredu x SMASH Digital Literacy Workshop Series was one example of that ecosystem in action. It brought together program expertise, technology resources, local relationships, and a shared commitment to student opportunity. Looking ahead. The Inspiredu x SMASH Digital Literacy Workshop Series was one moment in a much larger journey. For participating scholars, the laptops and digital literacy training can support schoolwork, summer learning, college preparation, career exploration, and creative projects long after the event ends. For SMASH and Inspiredu, the collaboration reflected a shared belief: when students have access to both rigorous learning and the tools to keep building, they are better positioned to pursue the futures they imagine for themselves. As SMASH continues its 25th anniversary year, the organization is celebrating not only its history, but also the partnerships helping shape what comes next: more access, more pathways, and more young people prepared to lead in STEM. Together, SMASH and Inspiredu helped Atlanta scholars build the skills, confidence, and digital foundation to keep moving forward.

The power of game-making: Q&A with Cindy Lora, SMASH Chief Program Officer. Across the country, many high school students with a passion for STEM lack access to immersive, college-level learning experiences that challenge them to think creatively and build real-world skills. SMASH exists to change that. A national nonprofit founded in 2001, SMASH provides intensive STEM programs that combine rigorous academics with hands-on experiences, helping scholars explore college life and prepare for future careers. Over the past several months, Endless has partnered with SMASH to share the Endless Access game design curriculum with SMASH students, inviting them to create new worlds and bring their creative vision to life. Endless, Inc. sat down with Cindy Lora, SMASH's Chief Program Officer, to learn more about the organization, how game-making has impacted their program, and how this partnership is helping shape the future of their programs. For readers who might not be familiar, can you share what SMASH is all about and who you serve? Cindy: SMASH was launched in 2001 at the University of California, Berkeley as a STEM-intensive program for high school students. The program offers a two-week residential experience where scholars live on campus and immerse themselves in what it's like to be a college student. During this time, they take classes in design thinking, computer science, college and career success, and a variety of electives. Recently, SMASH, with support from Endless Foundation, has incorporated the Endless Access Godot curriculum into its design thinking classes, giving scholars hands-on exposure to game design and helping them explore real-world applications of their skills. What inspired SMASH to bring game design and creation into its programs? Cindy: Many of its scholars are interested in gaming, game design, and game development. Its computer science curriculum traditionally focused on data science, analytics, and front-end web design, but Endless, Inc. realized Endless, Inc. were missing an opportunity to serve those interested in game design. Partnering with Endless was a perfect match. Endless is doing great work in game design, and that aligns perfectly with its scholars' interests. How does game-making help students build the kinds of 21st-century skills (like problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork) that are essential for their futures? Cindy: Endless, Inc. witnessed the skills students develop through game-making firsthand during a visit to Morehouse College, where a group of five scholars (who had only met a week earlier) presented a game they had been working on. The process involved learning new software, storyboarding, and a bit of friendly competition as they strived to create the best program. While a few hiccups arose during the presentation, the team tackled them collaboratively, setting aside egos and focusing on problem-solving. Their excitement to showcase their work was really inspiring to see. Experiences like this show how game design helps students build teamwork and communication skills while also teaching them that challenges are inevitable and it's how they navigate them that truly matters. Is there a student story or project you can share that captures how game making has helped learners see themselves as creators or innovators? Cindy: One scholar, Sophie Dieye, recently shared that she found the design thinking course using the Godot curriculum to be quite challenging, but she didn't give up. The program not only prepared her for the rigor of future classes, but also gave her the confidence to tackle problems and succeed. Game design is rewarding, but it's also demanding, and this experience helped her build resilience while deepening her dedication to the field. More importantly, it allowed her to see herself as a creator capable of accomplishing difficult goals. How has the partnership with Endless supported or expanded your work in this space? Cindy: From the very beginning, the Endless Access team listened to its vision and provided the tools Endless, Inc. needed to bring it to life. They trained its staff, made themselves available for questions and troubleshooting, and offered guidance along the way. But this partnership went beyond simply providing a curriculum. Endless collaborated with Endless, Inc. throughout the entire process, from ideation to implementation. True partnerships bring out the best in both sides, and that's exactly what Endless, Inc. experienced together. What have you learned from this experience that's shaping how SMASH thinks about future programs or partnerships? Is game-making going to be part of your future? Cindy: Yes, game-making will definitely be a part of its programming moving forward! Endless, Inc. is excited to leverage its upcoming game jams as an opportunity for students to create artifacts for Threadbare, Endless Access' community game, which will give them hands-on experience in game design. Beyond that, Endless, Inc. has a strong alumni network that Endless, Inc. actively engage for insight and feedback. Their experiences help Endless, Inc. understand what types of programs, tools, and support will be most valuable for future scholars, ensuring that its offerings remain relevant to the next generation of learners. When you think about the future for SMASH, for your alumni, or for the next generation of learners, what are you most excited about? Cindy: Endless, Inc. is excited about everything that's on the horizon! Endless, Inc. is looking forward to engaging its alumni in community gaming, preparing new scholars for their journeys, and personalizing learning based on individual interests. By providing students with meaningful opportunities to explore, experiment, and create, Endless, Inc. is helping them build the confidence and skills they need to shape their own futures. What advice would you share with other educators or organizations looking to integrate creativity or game design into their learning programs? Cindy: Approach game design with your learning hat on and be prepared to learn alongside your students. Strive to be the person they can turn to for guidance, while recognizing that there won't always be a single "right" answer. Embrace ambiguity and use it as an opportunity to model problem-solving, showing students how to navigate challenges with curiosity and persistence. Lifelong learning is key, and game design offers a perfect avenue to teach both creativity and resilience. SMASH Academy applications open on November 1, 2025.