AT LARGE Engaging with communities.

A STEM SOLUTION FOR EDUCATIONAL A STEM SOLUTION: The educational DISPARITY need in Houston is great, but R-STEM Carolyn Nichol was born with the curi- and Carolyn Nichol ous mind of an engineer. As a child, she are doing their best enjoyed taking things apart, and even to help solve the disassembled her grandfather’s odd clock, problem. which ran counterclockwise, just to see how it worked. In middle school, she won the science fair by making a solar oven for baking cookies. In high school in North Carolina, she was the only girl in her physics class and was constantly picked on by the boys because she was an outstanding student. Nichol went on to receive her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in chemical engineer- ing. She now is director of Rice’s Office of STEM Engagement (R-STEM). The three main goals of R-STEM are to provide resources to teachers and Continued on Page 2 ❱ ❱

SUMMER YOUTH CAMP PREPARES STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE

Luz Deleon remembers the first time she heard the word “valedictorian.” She was in second grade, attending an older sibling’s high school graduation. “I knew I wanted to go to college too, but there was no way my parents could afford it,” said Deleon, who is the youngest of eight sisters and brothers. “My parents came from Mexico and it’s a very different culture. They didn’t want me to go away.” But Deleon was undeterred. She told herself, “I’m going to become valedictorian so that I can get a lot of scholarships and go to college for free.” And she did. In high school, she received straight-As all four years, became valedictorian of her class at Houston’s Northside High School and received a full ride to Skidmore College, where she’s a rising sophomore. Deleon attributes her success in large part to her early exposure to the concept of high ❱ FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Continued on Page 4 ❱ ❱ ISSUE 37 ❱ FALL 2018 CAROLYN underserved students, to provide — women who have succeeded in ods thanks to ConocoPhillips’ a platform for Rice faculty to do their engineering careers. Applied Mathematics Program NICHOL their outreach and disseminate “To see women conquer- (AMP!). “This is a unique program Continued from Page 1 their research results, and to help ing the world of STEM was very because we pair math and science close the disparity gap in public encouraging to all of the girls,” teachers for a professional devel- education. said Raidah Ahmed ’21, a Rice opment course,” Nichol said. The office manages more than student who worked as a teach- About 80 teachers come 15 outreach programs, ranging ing assistant in the program. together for five days in the sum- from two-week intense courses “The mission of this program is mer and eight days during the to larger and longer programs. to encourage these girls to not academic year to study subjects All the programs, however, are shy away from the subject and that are seemingly unrelated, such designed to engage students and encourage them to pursue STEM as algebra and biology, and find teachers in experiential learning. regardless of the social perception out how they can work together “Whether they are elementary that STEM is meant for men.” to solve scientific problems. For students, graduate students or Another issue that Nichol example, in one lesson, teachers teachers,” Nichol said, “we provide would like to solve is the educa- explored how different cancer them with resources so that they tional disparity among students treatments impact the growth rate can go out and understand the in public school education. “It’s of tumors. Nichol helped launch world in a better way.” wrong whenever so many kids the program through a generous About 200 middle and high have little access to high qual- donation from ConocoPhillips, school students go through the ity education and enrichment,” which also provides staff members “Whether they summer programs at Rice each Nichol said. “But I think we can as guest speakers to talk about how are elementary year, and about 100 middle school help them.” they use mathematics in their jobs. students, graduate teachers attend the professional R-STEM has created a pro- “The staff, the energy, overall development courses offered by gram, the Science Technology this was the best professional students or R-STEM. According to the Engineering Mathematics development that I have been to teachers, we Education Agency, a middle Fabrication Academy (STEMFab), because it was so hands on,” said provide them with school teacher instructs about 125 to help Spanish-speaking students Murissa Mayes, an eighth grade resources so that students a year, so the impact that learn about careers in science and teacher at Key Middle School. “I R-STEM is having on students is technology. The program is free feel confident in implementing they can go out and in the tens of thousands, Nichol and uses Spanish and English what I learned from this experi- understand the asserted. to communicate to students the ence in my classroom.” world in a better One group that Nichol espe- opportunities available in STEM Another teacher, Kaylyn way.” cially wants to reach is women. careers. HISD, a sponsor of the Court, a seventh grade math “One of my passions is to get more program, selects the students teacher at Mayde Creek Junior — CAROLYN NICHOL women into the fields of science from HISD high schools, includ- High, said the program “stretched and engineering,” she said. “In ing Scarborough, Furr, Milby and forced” her to become a better high school, I was the only girl in and Austin. Students learn a teacher. “With great materials and physics; in college I was the only basic understanding of computer resources, AMP! allows teachers to woman in chemical engineering programming and electrical engi- really explore and be submersed at the University of Massachusetts, neering through rapid prototyping in the inquiry lesson design and and I was one of three women and circuitry. By the end of the how it can be implemented in the in my Ph.D. program at the two-week camp, students know classroom.” University of Texas. So I really how to operate a 3D printer and The educational need in want girls to go into science and enjoy making objects, especially a Houston is great, Nichol said, but do well.” printed owl with blinking eyes. Rice is doing its part to help solve To that end, she manages a “The STEMFab program gives the problem. “It’s a lot of hard course called Design, Connect, students the opportunity to use work to raise money to run these Create: Physics for Young Women. their natural artistic and creative programs, but when they are in The two-week, free program caters abilities while familiarizing them- session and you can see the good to high school girls who have selves with current technology,” that we are doing, I just completely completed algebra I and plan to said Isaias Cerda, assistant direc- forget how hard it is to write all take physics in the fall. Immersive tor for STEM and a lead organizer those grants for the programs. It is and hands on, the summer camp of the program. so rewarding.” ■ offers an array of scientific topics Students aren’t the only to explore such as static electricity, ones benefitting from R-STEM. — DAVID D. MEDINA forces and motion. The students Teachers are also brushing up on DIRECTOR also get to listen to guest speakers their science and teaching meth- MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS

2 RICE AT LARGE GIVING TO LEARN: RICE STUDENTS AWARD $50K TO LOCAL NONPROFITS

Last year, Rice became Carter Taft, Sonia Torres and tions. There, Rice students pitched the 22nd partner of the Seyvion Waggoner formed three their chosen grantee for further Philanthropy Lab, a Fort fact-finding groups under the funding and debated with other Worth-based organization guidance of Avery, the author student ambassadors the best way dedicated to supporting of “Philanthropy and Higher to disperse an additional $150,000 philanthropy education at Education: A Fateful Hour in grant money. universities. Rice joined a Creating the Atlanta University At this year’s conference in cohort of schools, includ- System.” June, Rice students Sara Meadow ing Harvard, Stanford and The students read Avery’s and Jiatian Qu championed CHARITABLE COURSE: Rice Columbia, that offers an writings as well as Bill Gates’ Houston’s TXRX Labs, a nonprofit students raised $50,000, which annual course in charitable 2017 Harvard commencement hackerspace in the East End that they distributed to several nonprofit giving that culminates in dis- speech, in which he encour- offers courses and access to a organizations in Houston. tributing real money to local aged graduates to “be activists” rapid prototyping lab, woodshop, organizations. and “take on the big inequities” machine shop, electronics lab and of Refugees: Awarded $6,375 to This year, Rice students in through philanthropy and public a variety of other tools in its 30,000 extend its Global Learners sum- Giving To Learn: Philanthropy policy. The students also read square foot space. The Giving to mer program from two to three in Theory and Practice awarded John Winthrop’s 1630 sermon, Learn class awarded TXRX Labs weeks, giving middle school-aged nearly double the amount raised “A Model of Christian Charity,” $7,960 to expand its programs refugee students more time for by the 2017 class, present- that he delivered to American into Second Ward high schools educational and personal growth ing $50,000 to seven Houston colonists aboard a ship bound for through their Made to Market pro- before starting school in the fall. nonprofits. Massachusetts. Toward the end gram. The six other Houston-area The Montrose Center: At the April 19 awards cer- of the semester, Avery said the awardees were: Awarded $8,000 to fund a shelter emony in the Moody Center for groups engaged in a “very passion- Air Alliance Houston: for survivors of intimate part- the Arts, Danika Burgess, director ate” three-hour board meeting Awarded $4,720 to conduct ner violence through Houston’s of curriculum and fellowships for to finally select their seven local air testing projects in Super foremost LGBTQ+ community Rice’s Center for Civic Leadership, recipients for the grant money. Neighborhood 41 in Fort Bend center. ■ introduced Vida Avery, course “They started out as students County, where a recent oil well instructor and Houston fund- and they’ve grown from learning blowout has left officials con- — KATHARINE SHILCUTT raising professional, and the 13 the history and theory of phi- cerned about hydrogen sulfide MEDIA RELATIONS SPECIALIST students who spent the semester lanthropy to becoming program emissions in the surrounding area. PUBLIC AFFAIRS reviewing proposals and delib- officers and board members,” said BakerRipley: Awarded $5,000 erating the merits and missions Avery. “They’ve vetted organiza- to use in its immigration and of the dozens of nonprofits that tions. They did their due diligence citizenship program, which helps applied for the grants. through researching, reviewing guide immigrants and refugees “As philanthropy and scoring the applications to through the naturalization “As philanthropy has filled has filled the void the void created by decreases in conducting site visits of the non- process. public funding, it is important for profit organizations that they were BridgeYear: Awarded $9,750 created by decreases a healthy democracy that citizens interested in. These students have for its work in connecting in public funding, possess the critical tools to assess definitely achieved the lab’s goals.” underserved communities with it is important for a An increase in charitable high-paying, high-growth careers allocation and efficacy of these healthy democracy resources,” said Burgess. “This giving to the course itself enabled that are accessible through local course provided students the the students to give more than last community colleges and voca- that citizens possess opportunity to learn about the year’s $28,000, thanks to dona- tional programs. the critical tools to history and role of philanthropy tions from the Hilda Rich Circle Children at Risk: Awarded assess allocation of Giving, the Houston Jewish $8,195 to fund the publication of in America and to serve as grant- and efficacy of these makers themselves.” Community Foundation, and its annual Growing Up in Houston Over the spring semester, Rice alumnus and noted philan- Guide, a leading resource on resources.” undergraduate students Alex thropist Purvez Captain ’93. The important issues, including local — DANIKA BURGESS Addy, Chris Burbridge, Carolyn Philanthropy Lab also offered research regarding parenting, Daly, Sydney Franzen, Phil funding for the course and hosted education, food insecurity and Hedayatnia, Patrick Kowalski, its annual ambassador confer- human trafficking. Nayva Kumar, Sara Meadow, ence in Dallas this summer for Partnership for the Jiatian Qu, Jordan Szymczyk, students from all partner institu- Advancement and Immersion

FALL 2018 3 YOUTH CAMP to college,” said Dennis Kennedy, Kennedy said, “and provide them that writing is one of the most founder and chairman of the role models, so they can see important things that students Continued from Page 1 National Diversity Council, other people who look like them can learn in high school.” which has helped to sponsor the who are achieving.” Eight years later, Medina has school at the Texas Diversity camp. “And you don’t have to David Medina ’83, director seen the camp triple in size and Council (TXDC) Summer Youth wait until you’re in 12th grade to of Multicultural Community watched with satisfaction as it’s Program at Rice. talk about it.” Relations in Rice’s Office of already paid dividends to those Deleon attended the free, Partnering with Rice Public Affairs, first partnered who come back year after year. weeklong camp four years in nearly a decade ago was a goal with Kennedy and the National “I’m very proud of the students a row. This year, she returned as an intern for the TXDC to mentor younger students, many of whom are first-generation, college-bound students from the area. They aim to complete all four years of the Summer Youth Program, because in addition to reaping the ben- efits of the intense college-prep work that takes place each June, all students who attend the camp for four consecutive years receive a $1,000 scholarship. “We want these kids to understand that anyone can go for Kennedy, and that process Diversity Council to launch the who stayed with the program for meshed with one of the goals Summer Youth Program in 2010. four years, went to college and of Rice’s Vision for the Second “We started the program because returned to the summer camp as “We want these Century, Second Decade (V2C2): we wanted to teach underserved volunteers to help other students kids to understand to coordinate educational pro- high school students how to succeed,” Medina said. grams and engage with Houston write well so that they could get This summer, 60 students that anyone can go as an academic partner. into college and succeed in their from middle and high schools to college. And you “We wanted to bring them careers,” said Medina of the arrived on campus early each don’t have to wait to a campus, such as Rice,” writing intensive camp. “I think morning for days packed with until you’re in 12th grade to talk about it.”

— DENNIS KENNEDY

COLLEGE BOUND: Houston students from various high schools learn what it takes to get into college.

4 RICE AT LARGE writing workshops, practice exams for the SAT and ACT, pre- sentations on financial aid and the admissions process, leader- ship activities, campus tours and much more. “Most of these gifted students come from lower-income house- holds and, with a little guidance, have the potential to be the first in their families to attend college,” said Laura Alvarado, senior director of operations for the Texas Diversity Council. “The program is designed to provide lessons and activities that will equip these students for a suc- cessful transition into college and through to graduation.” For the past four years, Samantha Vela was ferried to and from campus by her grand- mother for the weeklong summer camp, where Vela soaked up everything she could about securing funding for college. WRITE ON: Students learn the finer points of writing an essay as they prepare to apply for college. Now heading into her senior year at the High School for Law applying for more scholarships initially what to study in college, her own parents to come around and Justice, the oldest of four and was recently nominated for Vela now knows she wants to to their youngest daughter going was determined to show her a Posse Foundation Scholarship, be a mechanical engineer — a away for school, they ultimately younger siblings that college which provides four years of career she didn’t know existed realized how happy Deleon was, is a possibility for all of the full tuition at the foundation’s until an engineer came to speak thriving on campus and pursu- Vela sisters. She’d been busily partner universities. If it weren’t at last year’s camp. The engineer ing her Ph.D. dreams, thanks to and Vela met for coffee after the program. camp was over, and this meeting “They know that I work hard sparked an interest that’s grown and I’m responsible and it’s even more in the year since, as really paying off,” said Deleon. the two have stayed in touch. “And seeing other parents learn Deleon saw her own expe- more about college makes me rience at the Summer Youth really happy, too.” ■ Program come full circle from a green eighth-grader to a suc- — KATHARINE SHILCUTT cessful veteran of the college MEDIA RELATIONS SPECIALIST application process. Now, she’s PUBLIC AFFAIRS an intern and mentor with two semesters under her belt and TESTING, TESTING: Students in for the Summer Youth Program, plans on returning to Houston the summer camp learn how to Vela said, she’d have no idea such after school to study neurosci- prepare for the college admissions foundations even existed. ence in the test by taking practice tests. Vela found her first year in and start a nonprofit. the program daunting. “And “A few weeks ago, I was then I saw how they were going talking to one of the parents in to help me out here, how they the program and she was really were going to be able to answer worried because she and her hus- all of my questions. And being a band didn’t go to college but they first-generation, I had so many wanted their son to be able to,” questions,” she said. Deleon said. “I felt a connection.” Although she didn’t know Although it took a while for

FALL 2018 5 GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMPUTER SCIENCE LEADERS

The Rice University School that could move and manipulate Mathematics Project objects, clothing accentuated with (RUSMP) hosted a fair at light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and Rice to encourage local computer and mobile games. students to study computer Nine students from South science and pursue careers in Early College High School brought technology. games developed as part of their Richard Parr, RUSMP execu- assignments for the AP computer tive director, said the hands-on science course taught by Angela activities during the April event M.S. Edwards. helped develop enthusiasm for Edwards said her students computer science education and get excited about creating games careers among all the secondary and puzzles through program- school students attending the ming, and the outcome makes the event. classwork seem more real to them. Middle school students played The opportunity for students to games and watched demonstra- test their projects at Rice encour- tions of technologies developed by aged many of her students to reach high school students, then voted a level of success in their class on their favorite projects. The high assignments that other deadlines school projects included robots did not achieve.

“The feedback they got at Rice selection, which helps build confi- was gratifying, and I heard many dence. In Stubblefield’s game, the students mention tweaks they patterns evolve quickly and more planned when they came back to randomly, challenging the player school. The day after the CS fair, to develop nimbler thinking and three of the students were in my responses. room during lunch to work on The fair also included a their projects,” Edwards said. keynote speech by Illya Hicks, Kristopher Hoskin and Isaiah Rice professor of computational Stubblefield brought iterations and applied mathematics. Rice of ColorSleuth, a game in which graduates, Molly Reilly ’18 and players earn points for clicking on Mayu Tobin-Miyaji ’18, also made squares that change color. The two presentations. students designed their projects “Even though the fair was with various levels of complexity. scheduled during the last week In Hoskin’s version, the player of spring classes, I didn’t mind,” can usually identify a pattern Tobin-Miyaji said. “It seemed like

6 RICE AT LARGE IT’S NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Students at Akins High share her story about how she, as lent public speaking skills, was the School in Austin are learn- an immigrant, established Rocheli cherry on top of the cake. That is ing how to start a business, Patisserie, a bakery, in Austin. exactly what Startup Superstars thanks to the Rice Alliance The teams and mentors worked is all about: helping underserved for Entrepreneurship and diligently for eight weeks, improv- students reach their full potential Technology-Austin Chapter ing their business ideas, filling out through the help of mentors such (RAA). their business plans and practic- as the Rice Alliance.” For the past two years, RAA ing and refining pitches. Ideas For Giselle, winning the members have volunteered at were varied. One team wanted competition made her feel accom- Akins to prepare students for the to improve the standard taco plished and inspired her to pursue Startup Superstars Entrepreneur truck. Another team wanted to a career in business. “This was a Competition, which is sponsored help ailing elderly people by creat- great learning experience and a by the Greater Austin Hispanic ing a smart pill box. wonderful opportunity to network Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC). Teams pitched their ideas to with entrepreneurs,” Giselle said. The annual competition chal- judges from the Rice Alliance, Giselle will be attending Texas lenges high school students at six Southwest Angel Network and A&M University in the fall. of Austin’s Title I schools to create GAHCC. Although all the teams The success and feedback a new business plan and pitch made great strides and impressed from the participating students their vision to a group of business the judges, the winning pitch invigorated the volunteers and professionals. came from GGX Fitness. Giselle ensured that the Rice Alliance Teams of one to three students Garcia came up with the idea of will support next year’s class of a nice way for students like me compete at their schools for a creating a gym specifically for students who dream of becoming in computer science to show chance to advance to the citywide Hispanics as a way to improve entrepreneurs. ■ representation.” competition that takes place at their health and decrease their Other exhibits were pro- the Zach Scott Theatre during the rates of diabetes. — JUAN THURMAN ’97 vided by Texas Instruments South by Southwest Education According to her plan, the PRESIDENT, RAA Inc., Technology Education Conference and Festival. The gyms would be located in pre- and Literacy in Schools, winning team walks away with a dominately Hispanic Makers of STEAM and Team college scholarship. areas, play Latin music Cherrypick, a winner at the RAA’s mission is, “to be a and always be staffed by recent George R. Brown catalyst for launching successful Spanish speakers. Unlike Engineering Design Showcase tech ventures through entrepre- other gyms that serve for its program to capture and neurship education, mentoring Hispanics, Garcia’s gym organize highlights from live and networking connections.” So, would provide dance volleyball games. when Vanessa Gonzalez, educa- classes, such as Zumba “Since 1987, RUSMP tion chair of the Austin Hispanic and Salsa, and offer tradi- has been promoting Rice Chamber, approached the Rice tional weight equipment. University’s excellence beyond Alliance to provide volunteers, For her efforts, the the hedges in prekindergarten the group was more than eager to RAA awarded Giselle a to grade 12 education by pro- help. Valerie Lussenhop, former $2,000 scholarship and viding support to precollege president of the Rice Alliance, the opportunity to repre- institutions across the state,” began working with GAHCC sent Akins at the citywide Parr said. “RUSMP continues and Akins High School business pitch contest, competing to be the primary catalyst of teacher Andrew Hebenstreit in against five teams. Giselle sustained, progressive change 2017. also won the Austin city- in education in Houston-area In 2018, the students, teacher wide competition and an schools and across Texas, and RAA mentors took what they additional $3,000 scholar- offering numerous programs had learned from the previous ship from GAHCC. for leaders, teachers and stu- year and re-doubled their efforts “I loved the evolu- dents.” ■ to come up with excellent ideas, tion of Giselle’s project,” business plans and pitches. Eight Garica said. “I saw the

— CARLYN CHATFIELD teams began developing business drive and determination THE RIGHT PITCH: Austin high school COMPUTER SCIENCE ALUMNI plans in January. Giselle had, and seeing her student Giselle Garcia won the startup RELATIONS SPECIALIST To inspire the students, the pitch at the finals, very con- RAA invited Nelly Garcia, a Forbes fident of herself, very well entrepreneur competition by creating a 30-under-30 award recipient, to prepared, and with excel- gym specifically for Hispanics.

FALL 2018 7 RICE AND BLACKSHEAR ELEMENTARY TEAM UP FOR LITERACY DAY

Close to 40 volunteers books. Each student walking away from Rice University, the with their own book today is very powerful.” and the Mayor’s Hispanic Rice’s Office of Multicultural Advisory Board spent the Community Relations in Public morning of May 21 reading Affairs organized the event, to students from Blackshear collecting books and cash con- Elementary as part of the tributions, which resulted in a school’s Literacy Day. donation of 500 books and healthy Volunteers regaled the stu- snacks — one for every student dents, ranging from pre-K to fifth at the school. The Urban League grade, with stories and poetry generously donated more than aimed to bolster the children’s 200 books. Teachers, staff and the love of reading and improve their principal also received gifts of literacy. Blackshear is a HISD appreciation from Rice. LEARNING TO LOVE LITERATURE: Public Affairs staff members spent the Montessori located Michael Taylor, an account morning reading to students at Blackshear Elementary School. in Houston’s historic Third Ward. executive with Rice Athletics, Blackshear Elementary’s prin- was excited for the opportunity “We want students to like books. The huge cipal, Alicia Lewis, emphasizes to work with students inside their role technology plays in our lives today takes the importance of literacy at her classroom. “Rice Athletics works school. “It’s one of our main goals,” with children a lot on campus, away from time spent reading books. Each Lewis said. “We want students to which is amazing,” Taylor said. student walking away with their own book like books. The huge role technol- “But this was a great opportunity today is very powerful.” ogy plays in our lives today takes to get involved in another way and away from time spent reading meet children in their element at — ALICIA LEWIS

BOOK LOVERS: Alex Byrd, associate professor of history at Rice, hopes that by reading to students at an early age they will learn to love books and become lifelong readers.

8 RICE AT LARGE school.” to help,” Karow said. “Those who LITERALLY ENGAGED: Several Amy McCaig, senior media couldn’t donate their time, helped volunteer groups from Houston relations specialist in Rice’s Public gather books, and those who came together to help Blackshear Affairs, picked two of her favor- donated their morning, showed up Elementary students increase their ite childhood books to read to a with enthusiasm and passion.” love for reading and bolster their second-grade class: “Make Way Multicultural Community literacy. for Ducklings” and “The Story of Relations is looking forward to Ferdinand.” making Rice’s participation in “As a lifelong reader, it was Literacy Day at Blackshear an such a joy to read some of my annual event. ■ favorite children’s stories in the classroom and see the kids’ faces — KENDALL SCHOEMANN light up in the way I suspect mine STAFF WRITER did when hearing these same sto- PUBLIC AFFAIRS ries many years ago,” McCaig said. “I hope these children will grow to love reading as much as I do, and I look forward to participating in “I was touched to similar events in the future.” hear from so many “The Story of Ferdinand” members of the describes a bull who would rather smell flowers than engage in Rice and Houston bullfights. When the class was community who asked what they thought about wanted to help. Ferdinand, a student answered, Those who couldn’t “He liked being quiet and just smelling flowers.” donate their time, Andrea Karow, events special- helped gather ist in Public Affairs, was one of the books, and those organizers of the event. She said who donated their she was pleasantly surprised by the support of Rice faculty, staff, morning, showed up alumni and community leaders. with enthusiasm and “I was touched to hear from passion.” so many members of the Rice and Houston community who wanted — ANDREA KAROW

FALL 2018 9 SPACE DAY IN SPACE CITY

To celebrate 55 years of partnership between Rice University and NASA Johnson Space Center, about 600 middle school students from Houston-area school dis- tricts experienced a touch of outer space April 28. It was a big day for the students as they attended a Rice base- ball game, participated in STEM experiences, toured campus and engaged with a range of cool NASA exhibits. The day began in with exciting talks by Melanie Saunders, acting deputy director of the Johnson Space Center, and David Bring, senior staff scientist at the Lunar Planetary Institute. The baseball game was a treat but space- themed activities and trivia throughout the game made it extra special. The game got going with a mes- sage to the students from astronaut Ricky Arnold onboard the International Space Station. Students also enjoyed stepping into a space suit and touch- ing a 3 billion year old moon rock that was brought to Earth on Apollo 17. The major highlight of the day, however, was prob- ably NASA’s “Driven to Explore” mobile exhibit. The exhibit has audio-visual displays that highlight NASA’s ongoing research to ensure the safety of space missions and NASA’s plans for future exploration, including the designs for next generation space vehicles. NASA’s education tables and handouts were available to the students and everyone at the game. The all-day event was organized by Rice Space Institute, Rice Athletics, the Rice Office A TOUCH OF OUTER SPACE: A middle-school student tries on a space suit, while of STEM Engagement (R-STEM), NASA and the Lunar Planetary celebrating the partnership between Rice and NASA. Institute. The more than five decade relationship between Rice and NASA continues today, and plans are underway for another Space Day in 2019.

— DAVID ALEXANDER PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY DIRECTOR RICE SPACE INSTITUTE

10 RICE AT LARGE THE RICE SCHOOL ROCKS

The Rice University School cally asked questions and then “Roshaud’s dynamic Mathematics Project answered Mayes’ questions about (RUSMP) organizes events rocks. Students who answered presentation gave the for its partner schools that correctly won a prize. Many stu- second graders real- enrich students’ understand- dents said that they wanted to be world images of rocks ing of STEM. From coding geologists and earth scientists as a and crystals that will experiences, Measurement result of his talk. Olympics, eclipse parties and “Roshaud’s dynamic presen- serve them well as robotics competitions, stu- tation gave the second graders they begin their unit dents learn to appreciate the real-world images of rocks and on geology.” importance of science and crystals that will serve them well technology in their lives. as they begin their unit on geol- — CAROLYN WHITE The latest STEM event took ogy,” said Carolyn White, RUSMP

place at The Rice School/La director of elementary programs. A ROCK STAR: Roshaud Mayes, an expert on rocks and minerals, spoke to Escuela. Second-grade students at Principal Kimberly Hobbs elementary students about rocks and crystals, helping them understand the school kicked off their geology added: “Our second-grade stu- geology. unit with a visit by rock and crystal dents were thrilled to participate expert Roshaud Mayes. He spoke in a lively discussion about rocks. with 122 students about rocks and The presentation by Mr. Mayes crystals, their origins and uses, enhanced our students’ learn- and how he got hooked on geology. ing and supported the Science After he described the rocks and Technology Engineering Math crystals by size, texture and color, program at The Rice School.”■ the students examined them. He captivated the students — ANNE­ PAPAKONSTANTINOU with his stories about the history DIRECTOR of the various rocks, how they RICE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL were formed and their importance MATHEMATICS PROJECT in culture. Students enthusiasti-

FALL 2018 11 Rice University NONPROFIT ORG. Multicultural Community Relations–MS 700 U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 1892 PAID Houston, TX 77251-1892 PERMIT #7549 HOUSTON, TEXAS

FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT RICE UNIVERSITY DAVID D. MEDINA, DIRECTOR, MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY AT LARGE RELATIONSAT LARGE

IN THIS ISSUE:

A STEM Solution for Educational RICE AT LARGE is a quarterly news- Disparity ❱ Page 1 letter that showcases the university’s Summer Youth Camp Prepares Students for College outreach programs. Each issue of the ❱ Page 1 newsletter includes a series of stories Giving To Learn: Rice Students Award $50K to Local Nonprofits that raise the awareness of Rice’s ❱ Page 3 engagement with the city and beyond. Growing the Next Generation of Computer Science Leaders Rice At Large has a circulation of 2,500 ❱ Page 6 and is sent to members of the Rice It’s Not Business as Usual for High School Students ❱ Page 7 and Houston communities, including

Rice and Blackshear Elementary Team alumni, educators, business and politi- Up for Literacy Day ❱ Page 8 cal leaders, program funders and others

Space Day in Space City with whom the university would like to ❱ Page 10 engage. The Rice School Rocks ❱ Page 11