Operation SMART (Science, Math and Relevant Technology) is a project of the Girls Clubs of America, a national organization serving mostly low-income girls in local club centers. Girls clubs provide out-of-school programming that pays special attention to the needs of girls and helps them take charge of their futures. Operation SMART's hands-on science activities and visits to role models in science are accompanied by reflection about science, societal issues, and personal attitudes. This document describes the goals and programs of this operation including the background of the project and the impact that can be made on the attitudes of girls regarding science and technology. Discussed in this paper are the demystification of science and mathematics, the importance of the actual manipulation of materials, the power of symbols, the importance of collaborative experiences, and the issue of self-reliance versus learned incompetence. (CW)