The Cancer Health Activism
Network for Greater Equity Project

About the CHANGE Project

The Cancer Health Activism Network for Greater Equity (CHANGE) Project at Rice University is a paid, 6-week research internship for middle and high school biology teachers, and offers the exciting opportunity to work alongside Rice faculty in bioengineering/bioscience labs on the university's campus. The program focuses on enhancing the knowledge of biology teachers in cancer research and health disparities and implementing socially just biology lessons. CHANGE seeks to empower teachers and their students, fostering their interest in biosciences and healthcare. This program is an introduction to research, and teachers with no prior research experience are encouraged to apply!

Applications are now closed.

CHANGE Project Benefits

• Up to $7,000 in stipends
• Hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art Rice University bioscience and bioengineering research labs
• Work alongside Rice faculty members who have expertise in cancer research
• Access to a network of other biology teachers interested in bioscience research
• Creation of engaging lesson plans that teachers will be able to use in their classrooms
• Opportunities to present and lead at the local, state, and national level
• Teacher CPE and GT hours

CHANGE Project Participation Requirements

Participation in the CHANGE Project requires attending both the summer and school year training sessions depending on cohort assignment. Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident to participate in the CHANGE Project.

Applications are now closed.

^{*Program times, dates, locations, and compensation subject to change before the first day of the program.
**Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent U.S. resident to apply.}

Expectations and Benefits

The Rice Office of STEM Engagement and SEPA value the unique differences of each member of our programs and thus expect all participants to conduct themselves with integrity, respect oneself and others, open-mindedness, discipline, tolerance, and a sense of responsibility toward assigned work. Other expectations of CHANGE participants include, but are not limited to:

• Working full-time (40 hours) in the laboratory or with social scientists each week of the 6-week summer internship;
• Documenting summer hours and submitting timesheets on time;
• Completing a poster based on summer research;
• Attending and presenting at the Research for Teachers Symposium;
• Developing and submitting a lesson plan based on summer research;
• Attending the 3 fall workshops;
• Attending and presenting at a Saturday CHANGE Academy; and
• Timely completion and submission of all course assignments and homework.

For completing all program requirements, interns will receive:

• Hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art Rice University bioscience and bioengineering research labs
• Access to a network of other biology teachers interested in bioscience research
• Creation of engaging lesson plans that teachers will be able to use in their classrooms
• Opportunities to present and lead at the local, state, and national level
• Teacher CPE and GT hours
• Up to $7,000 in stipends

*Our office does not discriminate or make judgments against any individual based on race, color, national origin, ability status, age, sex, religion, or political beliefs.

Program Flyer

Below is copy of the CHANGE Project flyer. You can access a PDF version for download it here.

CHANGE Administration

If you have any questions about the CHANGE Project, please contact one of the program leads below.

Mariana Quinn
Assistant Director for Science Education
713-348-8266 | mq10@rice.edu

Melissa Mason
Assistant Director for Secondary STEM Education
713-348-7926 | mm221@rice.edu

^{*Program times, dates, locations, and compensation are subject to change before the first day of the program.
**Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident to apply.}