About R-STEM Academy
R-STEM Academy (previously known as NanoAcademy) is a series of one-day workshops for students to participate in STEM lessons designed by experienced teachers inspired by the ongoing research at Rice University. The main objective is to provide students with hands-on activities to build their conceptual understanding of various STEM studies, while simultaneously strengthening their critical and analytical thinking skills. Career opportunities in STEM Engineering are also included as an additional means of exposure for both students and teachers participating in the academy. Teacher participants from the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) internships work with graduate students and research scientists in innovative research laboratories to create the R-STEM Academy lessons. Lessons are designed to allow students to experience grade-level appropriate lesson activities based on nanotechnology applications.
2025 R-STEM Academy Workshop*
Lessons range from 2nd-12th grade level and cover a variety of topics, including nanotechnology, environmental, computer science, water treatment applications and so much more! R-STEM Academy is free for students who apply online. Students that arrive at the workshop without applying and submitting a signed agreement form will be turned away. Breakfast will be provided for all students. Students can drive themselves, take public transportation, or parents/guardians can drop off.
Parents and guardians can park and walk students up, but parking validations will not be provided for parents, guardians, or students. Parents and guardians will NOT be allowed into the classrooms with students.
This program is now closed. Check back for the 2026 R-STEM Academy registration next year!
- Dates, Location, and Session Details
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February 2026 dates to be announced.
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CST
Houston, TX2025 Sessions
Grades: 5th-7th | Clean Beats: Engineering for Wellness and a Greener World
Dulce Abascal, Farhad Bostani & Amy Garnica
In this interactive project, students will dive into both science and sustainability. Students will first team up to design an eco-friendly cleaning product using natural, non-toxic ingredients, and then explore how heart rate changes with physical activity to learn about proportionality. Through exercises, formulation, testing, and presentation, they’ll see how math, science, and green chemistry combine to create healthier habits for themselves and the planet.Grades: 6th-8th | Fluid Forces & Electric Threads: Innovating Structures and Circuits
Erika Mendoza & Gwen Michalsky
Get hands-on with engineering! First, build a hydraulic bridge and test different fluids to discover how balanced forces work in real-life structures. Then, jump into wearable tech by creating circuits with conductive fabrics—turning textiles into power sources! Explore how this tech is used in smart clothing, medical devices, and other cutting-edge gear.Grades: 9th-10th | Filter and Fertilize: Engineering Solutions for a Healthier Planet
Alexandria Hofferek & Tiffany Marchand
In this hands-on journey, students will tackle two environmental challenges: designing filtration devices to combat microplastics and creating systems to reduce fertilizer runoff in waterways. Through these engaging projects, students will learn about environmental impacts while engineering practical solutions using accessible materials. Join us in creating innovative solutions to protect our planet and promote a healthier world!Grades: 9th-12th | S.T.E.A.M Your Future: Writing in Light, Building in 3D
Cristal Johnson Brown & Luis Nunez
Make interesting and beautiful drawings by shining light on photo-sensitive paper. Harness ultraviolet (UV) power to create a 2D photolithograph. Then turn your drawing into a colorful 3D masterpiece. Through modeling, students will design and identify operational flaws in architecture, engineering, and product development.Grades: 11th-12th | Gene to Protein: Bioengineer Life’s Code with CRISPR & Protein Modification
Cynthia Flores & Raziyya KhatoonThis hands-on session introduces students to biotechnology by exploring gene editing and gene therapies through the fundamentals of CRISPR. Then, students will create enzyme solutions with household materials to break down stains, simulating real-world enzyme applications. This interactive lesson covers CRISPR, protein function, and enzyme activity, offering a practical exploration of biotechnology.
February 2026 dates to be announced.
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CST
Houston, TX2025 Sessions
Grades: 2nd-4th | From Soil to Speed, Harnessing the Powers of Mother Earth
Jomarga Thompkins & Patricia Juarez
Mary Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow? Come find out in this hands-on activity where we create the perfect soil for your garden to flourish. After you get your hands dirty, let’s keep the fun going by creating your own fast and furious-race car with Push Power, Design, and Build.Grades: 4th-6th | How Sweet Are You?” Machine Learning for Kids and Crystals To Go!
Adriana Sanchez-Cantu, Adam Rasheed, & Angela Fackler
Calling all curious minds in grades 4-6! Ever wonder how apps can predict things like sugar levels in food? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll become a young scientist creating and testing solutions to create crystals and using Machine Learning for Visual Categorization.Grades: 6th-8th | Engineering Earth and Tech: Building Bayous and Precision Paint Tools!
Mila Taylor & Deborah EdwardsIn this session, students will tackle two exciting challenges using science and engineering. First, they’ll design mini-bayous to reduce erosion and flooding, learning how sediment impacts Houston’s waterways. Then, they’ll create a device to apply an even paint layer on a spinning surface, exploring forces and angles—just like in tech manufacturing!
Grades: 10th-11th | What Color am I? Make Color-Changing Sensors!
Duane Turner & Frank PadronJoin us to create awesome sensors that change colors with temperature and pH levels! You'll use liquid crystals in a hydrogel to make a temperature-sensitive sensor and natural ingredients to create a pH indicator. Watch as they change colors to show temperature shifts and carbonic acid production. It's science you can see!
Grades: 9th-12th | GOT Asthma? How Bacteria and Humans React!
Mehmet Özek, Chukwuenetam Anwaegbu, & Frida MaldonadoDive into the awesome world of circuits and environmental science. In this workshop, you'll design circuits that mimic how bacteria respond to their surroundings. Act like a biologist, brainstorm cool ideas, create and test your own prototypes. Additionally, use Excel to design an algorithm that tests if you have asthma based on environmental data. Join us to explore, innovate, and have fun with BioCircuitry and Data!
- Application
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Applications are now closed.
- Eligible grade levels vary by activity.
- Please review the specific location activities and grade level before applying.
- Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status no later than one week prior to the workshop.
- Space is limited, therefore, completing the registration process does not guarantee placement in the workshops.
- Applicant's parents/guardians will be required to submit a signed release form with their registration.
*Students who arrive at the workshop without being accepted and submitting a signed agreement form will be not be permitted to attend. - Program Flyer
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Below is copy of the R-STEM Academy flyer. You can access a PDF version for download here.
Download the R-STEM Academy Flyer (Spanish) here
R-STEM Academy Administration
If you have any questions about R-STEM Academy, you can contact the program leads.
Isaias Cerda, M.S. Ed.
Associate Director for Science Education and English Language Learners
713-348-3197 | ic19@rice.edu
Mariana Quinn, M.S.
Assistant Director for Science Education
713-348-8266 | mq10@rice.edu
Brittany Templeton, M.S. Ed.
Assistant Director for Computer Science and Mathematics
713-348-8218 | bt36@rice.edu
*Program times, dates, locations, and compensation subject to change before the first day of the program.
