Founded in 2001, Level Playing Field Institute (LPFI) works to eliminate the barriers faced by underrepresented students of color in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to foster untapped talent for the advancement of society.

LPFI’s signature program, Summer Math and Science Honors Academy (SMASH), is a three year, five week summer college prep program for low-income high school students from backgrounds underrepresented in tech and science-related fields. For three years, SMASH scholars participate in a rigorous, intensive five-week summer program, housed on college campuses of our partners: the University of California at Berkeley, Los Angeles, Davis, Stanford University and this year, Morehouse College. SMASH scholars are supported with academic year programming elevating computer science in order to prepare them for AP CS test in their senior year. 100% of SMASH scholars graduate from high school and 70% persist in STEM majors.