Johnson HS Students Attend Tapia Camps at Rice University

Posted Date: 09/17/2019

This summer, eight students from Jonhson High School and their sponsor, Edna Olmeda a teacher from Zaffirini Elementary School attended Rice University’s prestigious and unique camps hosted by The Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity.

Say STEM Camp, which is sponsored by ExxonMobil, is available to rising 8th-12th graders and features a weeklong residential experience with a challenging STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum. Campers experiment with hands-on STEM projects, like building miniature wind turbines out of household items including glue, cardstock and popsicle sticks. At the same time, students enhance their communication skills by learning how to simplify complicated STEM ideas via graphic drawings and an end-of-camp oral presentation – all while experiencing life on a college campus.

The professional development camp for teachers of all subjects and levels provides participants the tools to implement project-based learning—a lesson-planning method that encourages hands-on, engaging experiences—in their classrooms. Teachers who complete the program earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours.

Pictured:  (no particular order) Victor Dominguez, Brittany Lopez, Mark Flores, Edna Olmeda (teacher), Stephanie Carbajal, Ramiro Palacios, Cecilia Lopez, Angel Palacios, Jesus Torres.