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.

We 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.

“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.”

- Cindy Lora

Chief Program Officer, SMASH

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 our scholars are interested in gaming, game design, and game development. Our computer science curriculum traditionally focused on data science, analytics, and front-end web design, but we realized we 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 our 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: We 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 our vision and provided the tools we needed to bring it to life. They trained our 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 us throughout the entire process, from ideation to implementation. True partnerships bring out the best in both sides, and that’s exactly what we 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 our programming moving forward! We’re excited to leverage our 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, we have a strong alumni network that we actively engage for insight and feedback. Their experiences help us understand what types of programs, tools, and support will be most valuable for future scholars, ensuring that our 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: We’re excited about everything that’s on the horizon! We’re looking forward to engaging our 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, we’re 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.

To learn more, visit smash.org.

SMASH Academy applications open on November 1, 2025.