For All K-12 Educators & Leaders

Professional Development Workshops

Are you a K-12 educator wanting to develop an interdisciplinary project using Project Based Learning (PBL)? Are you a K-12 leader striving to support staff in implementing PBL? 

Then the Tapia Workshops for Professional Development are for you. Experience PBL first hand as a student and as a teacher.  Learn how to assess, integrate your content standards, and even integrate language standards to meet the needs of all students. Develop a lesson to use when you return with your students! 

This was the best Project Based Learning workshop I've had in 20 years!

- Secondary Teacher - DeSoto ISD

Summer 2024 Professional Development Workshops

Our residential workshops provide the opportunity to collaborate with other educators and leaders by integrating a variety of content for developing and evaluating a real Project-Based Learning (PBL) product for their online or in-person teaching.

• Network with other educators and leaders

• Learn to integrate standards into PBL

• Interact with Rice University faculty

Tapia Educators stand in front of Lovett Hall as a group.

Where does the workshop take place?

Tapia Professional Development Workshops take place on the Rice University campus in Houston, TX. Educators live in the dormitories and spend their instruction time in the buildings on campus.

Tapia PD Camps - Summer 2024

  • Session PD-1: July 7 - 12, Sunday - Friday.

  • Session PD-2: July 14 - 19, Sunday - Friday.

Educator wearing a face mask is looking at another educator while in discussion with others.

What are Tapia Professional Development Workshops?

Tapia Professional Development Workshops are a 6-day/5-night residential workshop at Rice University that provide all K-12 educators with the knowledge needed to develop and evaluate real Project-Based Learning (PBL) products for their own use. Participants live on the Rice University campus and collaborate with other educators and leaders, learn to integrate standards into PBL, interact with Rice University faculty, and earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours. The workshop is hosted by the Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education.

Tapia Educators sitting in an auditiorium while listining to a professor lecture.What makes Tapia Workshops special?

Educators interact with Rice University professors and collaborate with their fellow educators on projects. The workshop informs participants on how to integrate a variety of content (e.g., TEKS with English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), or Common Core State Standards (CCSS) with English Language Development (ELD)) and how to incorporate basic assessment and feedback. By the end of the week, educators are able to view real-world issues and understand the methods used to address problems.

Dr. Tapia and Tapia Educators in a lecture hall.
Educators hear first-hand from National Medal of Science recipient, Professor Richard Tapia. Internationally renowned for his research and outreach, Professor Tapia inspires educators to strive for educational excellence.

Tapia Educator working on a project in a classroom.Residential PBL Workshop:

This residential PBL Workshop is open for all K12 educators interested in Project Based Learning (PBL). It includes the following: Foundations of PBL; PBL Launch; Public Products; Evaluation and Assessment in PBL; Standards and PBL; and Creating a PBL for your classroom. Participants will earn 37 CPE hours.

Any educator interested in Project Based Learning (PBL) will gain valuable knowledge and skills in our residential workshops. Educators will create a PBL project that can be facilitated in person or online. The workshop also provides educators the opportunity to:

  • Collaborate with other educators
  • Experience integrating a variety of content, such as TEKS with English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), or Common Core State Standards (CCSS) with English Language Development (ELD)
  • Develop a holistic approach to your curriculum that applies listening, speaking, reading, and writing
  • View real world issues that academics and corporations encounter, and experience the methods used when addressing problems
  • Incorporate basic assessment and feedback

Tapia educators sitting in a group having a discussion.All educators are welcome!

Past attendees have included first year teachers, 20+ year teachers, PK-12 teachers, librarians, and all-level administrators.

The Tapia residential PD workshops let educators create PBL projects for their unique classroom environments. Curious to what PBL looks like for online classrooms? Click here to see online lessons developed from groups of educators in 2020!

Tapia Professional Development Workshops FAQ

Is the workshop in-person or virtual?

Tapia Professional Development Workshops are in-person. The program requires educators to live in Rice University dorms. The Tapia Center will follow all COVID-19 protocols as mandated by the university. We willsendg any updates about our specific workshop policies as theyarisep.

What is the living situation like?

Participants will live in the Rice University dorms in single rooms.

Can an educator commute to Rice University instead of staying in the dorms?

Educators are required to live on campus for the duration of the program. Staying in the dorms with the rest of their groups helps to immerse participants in the experience.

Are there different schedules/programs for different educational/subject groups?

All educators are welcome at the Tapia PD Workshop! Our program allows for educators to apply what they learn about PBL to their own subjects. Past attendees have included first-year teachers, 20+ year teachers, PK-12 teachers, librarians, and all-level administrators.

Does the workshop provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours?

Yes, educators that complete the camp will earn 37 CPE hours. The Tapia Center is certified by the Texas Education Agency under CPE #101-513.

What topics are covered?

Educators complete a PBL project as a student, learn the foundations of PBL, and create a PBL project for their classroom!

The workshop also includes topics like; PBL Launch; Public Products; Evaluation and Assessment in PBL; Standards and PBL.

What is the cost of the camp?

The program is $1600 for PO's before February 1, 2024 for the entire 6-day/5-night workshop. The price increases to $1800 and includes meals, materials, and housing.

Are there any scholarships/financial aid available?

The Tapia Center works with various sponsors and organizations to provide the Tapia PD Workshop experience to all educators interested in PBL. Please check our website for updates about the scholarship process.

Have more questions about the workshop or looking for how to register a group? Email us at tapiacenter@rice.edu or call (713) 348-5182.