Science & Math Academy for Rural Teachers & Students
SMARTS is a program for middle school students that focuses on science and math enrichment.It is designed to encourage students in science and math, to help them overcome their fear of the subjects, and to challenge students to improve in these areas. Research shows that math and science are major obstacles preventing students from choosing a health career or being successful en route to becoming a health professional. SMARTS programs have focused on activities that instructors felt they did not have time to do during regular class time. Instruction may include CPR, first aid, anatomy instruction, math skills, study of germs, dissection, health career games, field trips and many more activities. Health education is also a component of SMARTS.
Instructors are hired to facilitate the SMARTS program and are usually local teachers. The program lasts approximately five days or 25 hours with at least 20 participants. A SMARTS program can be tailored to meet the needs of the students and instructors.
