Andrew Smith: Charging Ahead to a Brighter, More Energy-Efficient Future
Not many high school students have an opportunity to co-author a published research paper. Andrew Smith had not only the opportunity, but the reality.
Thanks to classes he was taking at Fayetteville State University (FSU) while still a student at Cumberland International Early College High School (CIECHS), he was able to complete research on Sc2C, a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries. To achieve this, Andrew had to learn complex chemistry and materials science concepts while working closely with his research professor to analyze data and organize findings for publication and future presentations.
“Growing up in a single-parent household, Andrew always had to pursue opportunities, whether it be attending his current early college program or publishing research in material science,” said Mia Watson, counselor at CIECHS. “Through Cumberland County Schools, these experiences allowed him to discover and further his passion for electronics, especially when designing circuits for renewable energy devices.”
CIECHS is located on the campus of FSU. It provides accelerated learning and opportunities to earn 60+ tuition-free transferable college credits. The curriculum is rigorous, with honors-level and college-level courses in a small school setting. Because the school is on a college campus, students have access to college-level elective courses and enrichment opportunities.
For Andrew, CIECHS has been a perfect fit. He is the Student Government Association student body president, chair of TheGroupTheory Inc. Junior Board, part of the American Rocketry Challenge, a SparkNC High-Tech Accelerator, a Foundations of Math I tutor, a volunteer with Fascinate U Children’s Museum and Carbon Crew Project, and a member of the National Honor Society.
“My favorite extracurricular activity is Student Government Association,” Andrew said. “As Student Body President, I enjoy the level of involvement I have within my school and the opportunity to help foster a supportive and enjoyable environment for my peers. Whether it’s planning our annual Homecoming dance or hosting Game Night, I am honored to help create a more memorable high school experience for the entire student body.”
Andrew has made the most of his time at CIECHS, truly embracing the unique position of attending high school on a college campus. With only about 60 students in his graduating class, he has grown close to his peers through shared experiences, projects and daily interactions.
Last summer, Andrew had the opportunity to participate in a six-week residential MIT engineering program called MITES Summer. The program only accepts four percent of applicants.
“My excitement was short-lived once I realized how difficult the college-level coursework would be,” Andrew said. “I spent many long hours in study sessions, and only a few people back home truly understood how demanding the program was. By the end of the program, I was awarded top student in both my physics and electronics classes, proving to myself that hard work truly pays off.”
After graduation, Andrew plans to attend a four-year university and study Electrical Engineering while participating in community outreach and studying abroad. He has received multiple scholarships, including the Robert H. Short Scholarship and Fayetteville Youth City-Wide Revival Scholarship.
“I chose to pursue Electrical Engineering because of my passion for electronics, which began when I received my first circuit board kit a few years ago,” Andrew said. “I am especially interested in applying my skills in the energy industry to help improve renewable energy devices, such as solar panels or small wind turbines, particularly in rural communities.”