Nearly 20 HISD students and teachers were among a select group from around the state who were invited to attend the prestigious Tapia Say virtual STEM Camp at Rice University this summer.
At the summer camp, which is sponsored by ExxonMobil, students experienced five days of online STEM experiences led by Rice professors and experienced facilitators, which focused on building problem solving and communications skills. Each camper was challenged to design their own heatsink, simulating the process through which heat is transferred away from the processor in a computer to keep the device from overheating.
Educators who participated in the camp gained the tools to implement project-based learning in their classrooms, whether virtually or in-person, through a 10-day workshop. In addition to earning Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours, participants collaborated with other teachers from across Texas and beyond.
The camp was hosted by the Richard Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity at Rice University, which promotes greater participation of underrepresented minorities and women in the sciences and engineering.