The Rice Center for STEM Engagement (R-STEM)
R-STEM serves as a central point of contact for all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics outreach and education efforts at Rice University. In collaboration with the Office of Research, R-STEM facilitates interdisciplinary partnerships among faculty, students, and the K-12 education community, integrating authentic research experiences with effective pedagogical practices while also supporting faculty in meeting the “broader impacts” requirements of governmental funding agencies through programs that serve K-12 teachers and students, community college students, and Rice undergraduate and graduate students.
R-STEM manages and administers grants under the direct supervision of Dr. Rafael Verduzco, Faculty Director, and Matthew Cushing, Executive Director. R-STEM operates through three core divisions: Operations, Curriculum and Instruction, and Research. The Operations team, led by Director of Operations and Marketing Debbie Heath and supported by two staff members, oversees all logistical requirements, including marketing, recruiting, and processing participant stipends. The Curriculum and Instruction team, led by Isaias Cerda, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and supported by five instructional curriculum experts, is responsible for delivering inquiry-based and project-based teacher professional development and student programs. To ensure data-driven success and accountability, the Director for Research, Evaluation, and Grants, Dr. Faiza Zafar, along with two research specialists, manages the publication of program findings, coordinates with external evaluators, and oversees all annual grant reporting and compliance requirements. R-STEM’s robust administrative structure ensures that the project meets its strategic objectives.
R-STEM Office and Laboratory Space
Offices and conference rooms at the IBC building as well as space on the Rice campus are available and adequate for R-STEM staff, faculty, and graduate student mentors to hold meetings and/or presentations related to the program. Faculty also have offices in their respective laboratories, and co-PIs and senior personnel offer shared lab space. All researchers have office space and dedicated computer access for themselves and lab members and can accommodate participants in their labs with space and technology, along with pedagogical discussions.
R-STEM Programs for K-12 Teachers
R-STEM supports K-12 teachers through year-long professional development (PD) programs focused on inquiry-based STEM instruction, content knowledge, and innovative pedagogy. Its core portfolio includes three decade-long flagship programs—ConocoPhillips-Rice Elementary Model STEM Lab (REMSL), ConocoPhillips-Rice Applied Math Program (AMP!), and NSF Nanoengineering Research Experience for Teachers (RET)—along with newer initiatives such as the Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) and sustained partnerships with major research centers. REMSL serves 3rd-5th-grade teachers through intensive professional development hosted at BakerRipley and Houston City College, reaching 75-110 teachers annually, and a Catalyst program for REMSL alumni to deepen their understanding of STEM topics through a series of engineering design challenges. Similarly, AMP! supports 5th-9th-grade math and science teachers in integrating the two subjects through inquiry-based learning; since 2014, it has served 850 teachers. The RET provides 5th-12th-grade educators with six-week summer research experiences in labs at Rice. These experiences reinforce educators’ understanding and appreciation of science as a process, and enable them to observe and actively participate in research, develop inquiry-based lesson plans that apply Rice research, learn how to use media and other strategies to bring laboratory experiences to students, and network with fellow science teachers. Each year, R-STEM supports an average of 20 teachers in a research experience.
R-STEM also plays a critical role in supporting large-scale research centers. For over a decade, it has contributed to education and outreach efforts for the Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) Engineering Research Center (ERC) center, and it is currently in its eighth year of supporting Precise Advanced Technologies and Health Systems for Underserved Populations (PATHS-UP). Through these partnerships, R-STEM extends its impact by integrating cutting-edge research into K-12 teacher professional development.
In sum, R-STEM offers teachers professional development focused on a wide range of STEM topics and pedagogy. Since 2006, R-STEM has provided high-quality professional development to more than 3,600 Houston-area K-12 math and science teachers for 457,200 professional development hours.
R-STEM Programs for K-12 students
R-STEM offers a range of summer and year-long enrichment programs that engage K-12 students in authentic STEM learning experiences. High school students can participate in week-long programs such as BioMed, BioTech, and BioEngineering, exploring engineering design, anatomy, and prosthetic development while gaining hands-on experience in biotechnology and biomedical science through real-world applications and cutting-edge lab techniques. Additionally, the NSF-funded Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) introduces high school and community college students to emerging fields, including artificial intelligence and digital health technologies. The Rice Planetary Science Internship provides a paid six-week experience for 8th-12th-grade students to work alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Rice University. For younger learners, the Computer Engineering Design (CED) Academy teaches middle school students foundational skills in programming, rapid prototyping, and computer design. Through partnerships with PATHS-UP and NSF Expeditions in Computing, R-STEM serves over 160 students annually in programs focused on applications such as machine learning for diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Each February, R-STEM also hosts R-STEM Academies, free Saturday enrichment sessions for students from Greater Houston schools, which receive over 600 applications for just 120 spots. Together, these programs reflect R-STEM’s commitment to providing sustained, hands-on STEM opportunities across grade levels.
R-STEM Programs for Community College Students
R-STEM offers targeted programs for community college students that provide authentic research experiences, technical training, and sustained mentoring. For over a decade, R-STEM has led the Nanomaterials Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, designed exclusively for community college students. In addition, the NSF-funded Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) engages community college students in emerging areas, including digital health technologies and AI. R-STEM also supports Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) opportunities, in which community college students collaborate with K-12 teachers and Rice undergraduate and graduate students in the Nanofab cleanroom. Across these programs, R-STEM provides structured mentoring and professional development, helping community college students build technical skills, pursue academic pathways to four-year institutions and graduate school, and connect with STEM careers.