Five promising migrant students from Lyndon B. Johnson High School demonstrated their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at the prominent Rice University Tapia Camps. Ruby Bentley, Judy Bentley, Ashley Sanchez, Rolando Sanchez, and Jesus Vaca were selected to participate in the educational 6-day residential summer camp held from July 23rd to July 28th at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
The Tapia Camps, known for their immersive STEM experiences, are open to 7th-12th graders and attract students from all around the world, with a significant number coming from Texas. The camp collaborates with various school districts, including United ISD, to ensure students from diverse backgrounds, including migrant students, have the opportunity to attend through secured funding from programs like Title I, GT, Migrant, and Bilingual/ESL/Emergent Bilingual. During the camp, students engaged in intensive instruction, collaborative STEM projects, lessons in communication skills and insightful presentations led by undergraduate and graduate students. They also received guidance from distinguished STEM professors and industry professionals, gaining a glimpse into college life by residing in dorms, dining in campus halls, and attending lessons in real college classrooms. The two challenging STEM projects included creating a model underground reservoir for carbon capture and storage, showcasing their understanding of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and geology. The second project involved coding an algorithm for college admissions, aligning with their values and informed by recent court cases, promoting an interdisciplinary approach to STEM.
Dr. Richard Tapia, a celebrated mathematician and a University Professor at Rice, spearheaded the creation of the Tapia Camps to inspire and nurture young minds in STEM fields. Dr. Tapia encourages students to recognize their potential in STEM and motivates them to pursue education and careers in these domains.
United ISD is proud of our students for participating in these exceptional camps and hope the students can implement their new skills during the school year. UISD looks forward to continuing their partnership with Rice University for more student opportunities.
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