Girls Inc. developed Operation SMART® (Science, Math and Relevant Technology) on a national level in the mid-1980s in response to the shortage of women entering careers in scientific, mathematical, engineering and technical fields.

Key Components

Assume girls are interested in science, math, and technology.
Even in today’s world, many girls still receive the message that they shouldn’t be interested in math and science. By offering girls the tools and resources they need to explore math, science and technology, YFS Girls Inc. allows girls to investigate and make their own decisions.

Let girls make big, interesting mistakes.
Instead of protecting girls from their mistakes in the Operation SMART lab, YFS Girls Inc. staff encourage girls to learn from them by using problem-solving to find a solution.

Help girls get past the “yuk” factor.
YFS Girls Inc. encourages girls to get their hands dirty with experiments in and outside of the lab, and to resist the gender-stereotyping that tells them such activities are just for boys, or are ”gross.”

Expect them to succeed.
YFS Girls Inc. teaches girls that it is okay to be interested in and excited about math and science, and that the future success of careers in these fields depends on both women and men being actively involved.