Energy Explorations Academy

About Energy Explorations Academy

Energy Explorations Academy is a week-long day camp for current 8^th - 10^th grade students (2024-2025 current school year) to investigate different forms of energy used in the world.

The program included working in labs and on activities in teams with the goal of learning about energy transformations in the laboratory and different forms of energy with labs and group exercises. Participants operated mini fuel cell cars, performed computer simulations to learn about light energy, replicated nuclear energy in half-lives via manipulatives, and created Hero’s Engines generated by steam.

The camp includes tours of Rice University and its facilities such as the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK). The campus tours are an important part of the program—here is an article about one from Rice University News & Media!

Energy Explorations Academy topics include fossil fuels, alternative energy sources, and fuel and solar cells.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 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

Summer 2025 Energy Explorations Academy*

Energy Explorations Academy is an in-person program designed for all current (2024-2025) 8^th - 10^th grade students.

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 and Details

July 14th-18th, 2025

Monday - Friday

9:00AM - 3:00PM

$499/week*

*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 (upon availability).

Students will receive:

- Hands-on activities
- Rice University tours of labs and other facilities
- Weekly activities include: solar ovens. wind-powered machines, developing sustainable homes and outdoor spaces among others.

Activities include: solar ovens. wind-powered machines, developing sustainable homes and outdoor spaces among others.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

Program Registration

Energy Explorations Academy is designed to create learning experiences for 8^th - 10^th Grade students by bringing them into the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Labs and other areas at Rice University.

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

Completing the registration form does NOT guarantee placement in the program. Participation in the Energy Explorations Academy is contingent upon receipt of the registration fee and completion of the required participant agreement and release forms for minors. Registrants will be required to submit signed participant agreement and release forms for minors with their registration for each child which is part of the registration process.

Space is limited, and the Energy Explorations Academy will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please complete an individual registration for each child you are registering.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

Cancellation and Refund Policy

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

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.

• A 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 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.

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.

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.

Program Flyer

To download the Energy Explorations Academy flyer click here.

Energy Explorations Academy Administration

If you have any questions about Energy Explorations Academy, you can contact the program leads.

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

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