Rice Biotech Academy

About Rice Biotech Academy

The Rice Office of STEM Engagement offers a one-week enrichment academy that explores tools and technology used in the rapidly evolving biotechnology landscape, with labs and Rice University faculty and graduate student discussions.Students must have previously completed or currently be taking Biology to register.

The Biotech Academy includes hands-on STEM activities and design challenges that are experiential and project-based. Activities include DNA extraction and analysis, micropipetting, bacterial transformation, and testing of the PTC gene, among others. Through hands-on activities students will learn how to use a growth mindset and critical thinking skills while also being exposed to various STEM paths, careers, and emotional intelligence by partnering with professionals as role models, mentors, and guest speakers.

Registration opened at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24th, 2025.

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025 BIOTECH ACADEMY IS NOW FULL.

You may register to be put on the waitlist for this program.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WAITLIST NOW!

SCHOLARSHIPS:

• Scholarships are available to a limited number of participants.
• To apply for a scholarship please click the links below to download the application.
• Do NOT register for this program if you are applying for a scholarship.
• Once scholarships have been awarded registration links will be sent to scholarship recipients.

The deadline to apply is April 18, 2025.

Scholarship Application

What to Know Before You Register Online

We're excited for you to join us this summer at Rice University, but before you complete your registration, please take a minute to read the following information and reach out to stem@rice.edu if you have questions.

Limited spaces are available. R-STEM Summer Student Programs. If the session you are interested in is sold out, you have the option to join the waitlist. You will be automatically placed on the waitlist when you finish the registration process if a session you selected is currently full. Placement on a waitlist does not guarantee a spot in the program.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION ONLINE:

• Safari, Firefox, and Google Chrome are the recommended web browsers for the system.
• The child's birth date and age will be when the session you register for begins.
• Child's t-shirt size.
• Physician's name and phone number.
• The child's known medical conditions, required medications, or allergies.
• All necessary credit card information for payment.
• Rice Employee ID (Faculty & Staff ONLY). Required for discount code.
• Student ID (Rice Students ONLY). Required for discount code.
• Military service members or Veterans. Required for discount code.
• Graduation year and college (Rice Alumnus ONLY). Required for discount code.
• If you are eligible to receive one of the discount codes above, please contact stem@rice.edu to obtain your discount code before registering.
• NOTE: Refunds will not be issued post-registration for discount codes not applied upon the account user's registration.

ACCOUNT SETUP AND PAYMENT:

• Please click here to create an account with the ACTIVE Network or access your current ACTIVE Account.
• Please note: Completing the registration form does NOT guarantee placement in the program. Participation in the program is contingent upon receipt of the registration fee and completion of all applicable minor participant agreements and release forms. Registrants must submit signed participant agreements and release forms for minors with their registration for each child, which is part of the registration process.
• All future registrants for filled weeks or registrants who have not yet paid or completed the required release forms will be placed on a waiting list.
• If you are a school district wishing to pay with a PO for a group of participants, contact Matthew Cushing at mpc3@rice.edu.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

• Scholarships are available to a limited number of participants.
• To apply for a scholarship please click the links below to download the application.
• Do NOT register for the Academy if you are applying for a scholarship.
• Once scholarships have been awarded registration links will be sent to scholarship recipients.

The deadline to apply is April 18, 2025.

Scholarship Application

Program Dates
Biotech Academy

July 7-11, 2025
9 AM - 3 PM
Rice University
$499/week*

INCLUDES DAILY LUNCH (M-F)*

This program requires the payment of a registration fee of $499 per week. Payment is made during the registration process.

*This program includes a daily lunch (M-F) as part of the registration fee. Participants will dine at the Rice cafeteria. Discounts will not be provided for students who choose to bring their own lunch.

*A $3.00 registration fee will be added to your total registration cost upon checkout.

*Due to administrative costs, a $50 fee will be charged for each change made to your registration. This includes session transfers (upon availability).

*Discounts are not applicable to add-on items (such as a water bottle) or add-on sessions. Discounts are only applicable to program tuition fees.

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025 BIOTECH ACADEMY IS NOW FULL.

You may register to be put on the waitlist for this program.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WAITLIST NOW!

Registration

Space is very limited. Participation in this program requires payment of the registration fee and completion of the required participant agreement and release forms for minors.

Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025.

• Rice Biotech Academy is offered for a fee of $499 per student/week.
• Lunch is included in the registration fee for this program.
• Students must have previously completed or currently be taking Biology to register.

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025 BIOTECH ACADEMY IS NOW FULL.

You may register to be put on the waitlist for this program.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WAITLIST NOW!

Cancellation, Refund, and Transfers Policy

Please read and agree to the Rice Office of STEM Engagement's cancellation policy.

Cancellation and Refunds Policy

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing (by e-mail) to the Rice University Office of STEM Engagement (R-STEM) at stem@rice.edu.

• 75% refund will be issued if the request is made in writing at least 30 calendar days prior to the start day of the program.
  
• A 50% refund will be issued if the request is made in writing at least 10 calendar days prior to the start day of the program.
  
• No refunds will be issued for cancellation requests made less than 10 calendar days prior to the first start day of the program.
  
• Tuition will not be prorated or refunded in any amount for any missed days by the program participant for any reason.
  
• If you are eligible to receive one of the discount codes above, please contact stem@rice.edu to obtain your discount code before registering. NOTE: Refunds will not be issued post-registration for discount codes not applied upon the account user's registration.

• If you are eligible to receive a discount code, please contact stem@rice.edu to obtain your discount code before registering.
• NOTE: Refunds will not be issued post-registration for discount codes not applied upon the account user's registration.

Refund Procedures

All refund requests or cancellations must be submitted to R-STEM in writing (by e-mail) to stem@rice.edu with the participant’s first and last name in the subject line. Please allow up to 10 business days for your refund to be processed. Refunds are typically issued in the same form of payment as the original payment. Refunds are NOT available for vacations, special events, or other personal commitments that prevent attendance.

We reserve the right to revoke the registration of any child who consistently disrupts normal activities and does not abide by the Rice Code of Conduct. While this is a rare occurrence, it is important to note that consistent disruptions diminish the experience of the other participants. No refund will be made if a child is dismissed from the program due to disrupting program activities.

In the event of cancellation due to Force majeure, an Act of God, or cancellation by the Rice University campus location, R-STEM will provide a 100% camp credit of monies paid. This credit may be used for any child in the affected camper's immediate family and the credit expires the following program year.

It is each participant's family’s responsibility to check their email account regularly and to update contact email addresses with the correct contact information. R-STEM is not responsible for notices not received because of such problems.

Transfers
We understand that sometimes schedules change and that your child may be unable to attend camp during the session in which he/she is enrolled. We do allow registration transfers to occur but with some caveats. Registration is not transferable to anyone outside your immediate family, and split sessions are unavailable. Decisions related to transfer requests will be based on space availability and will be made at the discretion of R-STEM staff. These transfer requests must be made by sending an email to stem@rice.edu (phone requests for transfers will not be accepted).Session transfers will only be allowed at least five working days before the start of the session.

Due to administrative costs, a $50 fee will be charged for each change made to your registration. This includes session transfers and late care transfers and cancellations.

Questions about registration or R-STEM programs?

Don't hesitate to ask us!
Email stem@rice.edu or call our main office at 713-348-8211.

Program Flyer

To view and download the Rice Biotech Academy program flyer click here.

Rice Biotech Academy Administration

If you have any questions about Rice Biotech Academy, please contact the program instructors.

Mariana Quinn, M.S
R-STEM, Assistant Director for Science Education
713-348-8266 | mq10@rice.edu

Matthew Cushing, M.S.
R-STEM, Executive Director
713-348-8210 | mpc3@rice.edu

^{*Program times, dates, and locations, are subject to change before the first day of the program.}