The Tapia Camps are award-winning residential STEM camps for rising 8th-12th graders at Rice University that emphasize communication. Campers complete STEM projects and presentations as they experience life as a Rice student for a week. Rice University is one of the nation's foremost research institutions consistently ranked in the top 20 universities in the United States.

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2026 Summer Sessions

Tapia Camps are a 6-day/5-night program at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Food and lodging is provided, and campers live in the dormitories and spend their instruction time in the buildings on campus. A field trip will take place within Houston (e.g. at NASA Johnson Space Center).

Camp Pricing for Individual Campers*:

Early Bird (before Mar. 1, 2026): $2,200 per student

Regular (before May 30, 2026): $2,500 per student.

*Discounted pricing for school officials and large groups is available. Please email us at tapiacenter@rice.edu.

Camp Dates -Information for Parent Pay Registrations only

• Session 1: July 5 - 10. (at full capacity)

• Session 2: July 12 - 17. (at full capacity)

• Session 3: July 19 - 24. Register here. (limited spots for Techniques campers only)

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Receive important information about camp and the Tapia Center's activities

• Mailing list for individuals.
• Mailing list for school administrators/officials.

Sessions:

STEM Camps: Tapia STEM Camps explore a wide range of STEM topics through hands-on challenges and activities. Students will learn about data centers and their impacts, particularly their high energy and water demands. They will take on a heat-transfer challenge by building their own heatsink, a critical element in a computer's hardware design that removes heat from electronic components by absorbing it and releasing it into the surrounding air. Students will also investigate techniques to counteract the environmental impacts of data centers, building model wind turbines and carbon capture and storage (CCS) reservoirs. Furthermore, they will explore how data centers and algorithms shape real-world decisions by designing a college admissions algorithm, using physics and math to identify AI-generated videos, and learning how algorithms can hide and detect secret messages in images.

Beyond these activities, students engage in additional educational opportunities, including the STEM Fair: an interactive science and engineering showcase with booths led by university students, featuring demonstrations and mini-projects in mathematics, physics, geology, and other STEM fields.

Techniques of a Pro Mathematician: In this special session of STEM Camp, campers will learn techniques that professionals use to do mathematics with ease. This session is intended for high school students who excel at math and would like to have a summer camp experience with additional challenge and rigor. This session will be led by Professor Paul Hand. Prerequisites: Campers must have completed a high school geometry class, and be familiar with the definitions of sine, cosine and tangent (SOHCAHTOA), including the ability to sketch plots of sin(x) and cos(x) by hand, by June 2026. To participate in this program, campers must complete an application process. Learn more about this special session and how to enroll here.

What Makes Tapia Camps Special?

Challenging STEM Curriculum

At Tapia Camps, campers will have the opportunity to experience a variety of STEM projects related to data centers and their impacts throughout the week, including projects involving algorithm design and carbon capture & storage. Campers learn directly from Rice University students, with course material designed by researchers led by the camp director, Professor Paul Hand. Students enjoy the college experience while interacting with college students, professors and STEM professionals.

Communication

To have a successful career in STEM, and in other fields, individuals must be able to communicate their ideas effectively and be able to work in teams. Campers learn and practice public speaking skills and collaborate with fellow students to complete STEM projects. At the end of the camp, campers will present on one of the topics they learned during the week.

Read about our awards >

Read about our impact >

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Who is Dr. Richard Tapia?

The Tapia Camps are named after Professor Richard Tapia. Dr. Tapia is a mathematician and professor in the Department of Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research at Rice University in Houston, Texas. He is internationally known for his research in the computational and mathematical sciences and is a national leader in education and outreach. Professor Tapia holds prestigious positions as University Professor and Maxfield-Oshman Professor in Engineering. Dr. Tapia is the Faculty Director of the Tapia Center and a recipient of the National Medal of Science.

Dr. Tapia created the Tapia Camps to promote excellence in STEM through subject exploration for middle and high school students. Campers hear firsthand from Dr. Tapia and are inspired to pursue their passions in STEM.

Learn more about Dr. Tapia >

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Tapia Camps Leadership

Tapia Camps Director

Dr. Paul Hand

Dr. Hand is an associate professor of mathematics and computer science at Northeastern University, and was formerly an assistant professor at Rice University. His research interests include machine learning and artificial intelligence. Dr. Hand leads the development of the Tapia Camps curriculum.

Director of Operations

Dr. Leticia Velazquez

Dr. Velazquez oversees all key areas to ensure a safe, engaging, and successful Tapia Camp experience. She also acts as the primary point of contact for camp sales, partnerships, and donations.

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Tapia STEM Camps FAQ

What information can you provide about the dorm rooms?

Campers will stay in a dorm room. They may or may not have a roommate. Roommates will be assigned randomly. All campers will be assigned a camp counselor. Camp counselors are available at any time the campers are in the dorms in order to provide support and in case of emergency. Campers may have a bathroom in their dorm room or may share a bathroom with approximately 3 other campers. Dorm rooms do not include linens or toiletries. Each room has its own thermostat and air conditioning.

Will classrooms be organized by grade?

At Tapia Camps, classrooms will be loosely organized by grade. For the Carbon Project, we anticipate there will be a classroom dedicated toward 8-9th graders, another toward 10th graders, and another toward 11-12th graders. The exact composition of each classroom will depend on the specific enrollment of each week of camp. Each classroom will complete the projects and lessons with a depth appropriate for the campers in that classroom.

What information can you provide about the food?

Campers will eat three meals a day at a university servery. The meals are all-you-can-eat. During each meal, there are plentiful options from which each camper can select. Examples of food include: entrees, pizza, grill station, salad bar, cereals, dessert, and a variety of beverages. Campers with dietary restrictions should refer to signage of each item and talk to the chef as needed. Rice University is accustomed to addressing a wide variety of dietary restrictions, including gluten free, nut allergies, vegetarian, and vegan options. More information can be provided at dining.rice.edu.

Will campers be supervised throughout the day and night?

Yes. During class time, instructors are responsible for supervising campers. During evening programming and overnight, counselors are responsible for supervising campers. All staff are available to address camper needs, and we encourage campers to speak to a staff member if there is anything we can do to enhance their experience.

What more can you tell me more about the staff?

Junior camp staff are typically undergraduate or graduate students. Many attend Rice University, and they come from a variety of fields of study. All staff are trained in CPR/first aid and have completed background checks. In Summer 2024, our staff have collectively spoken over 10 languages each year. Senior camp staff are professional educators from both K-12 and university settings, with over 60 years of collective professional experience.

What is a typical day like at Tapia Camps?

Campers will wake up and eat breakfast with their counselor group. They will then have instruction on a topic in STEM of their choice and communication throughout the morning and after lunch. They will complete hands-on activities related to their STEM projects, prepare a presentation for the Friday of camp week, and interact with guest speakers. After their STEM project sessions, campers will participate in fun nightly activities. In the past, students have enjoyed scavenger hunts, STEM Olympics, soccer, basketball and volleyball matches, talent shows, and much more.

Below is our detailed schedule for the 2026 Tapia Camp.

Do campers need to bring their own computers?

No, bringing a computer is not necessary. If required for the project, we will provide campers access to computers.

Do the camps provide school credit?

No, Tapia Camps does not award any school credit.

Do you offer any scholarships or discounts?

A very limited number of scholarships will be available for the 2026 camps. Those will be distributed based on an application process: Scholarship Link. The application is due May 15th, 2026.

As for discounts, we offer a 10% discount for Rice alumni or staff, and a 5% discount for siblings. We do not offer the two options combined (for example a 15% discount). Please email us at tapiacenter@rice.edu for the discount codes.

Can family members visit during camp?

Families are welcome to see camper presentations on Friday mornings. Outside of this time, we do not allow family visits in order to enable campers to fully engage in camp the instructional and social aspects of camp life.

Who do we contact in case of emergency?

The names and phone numbers of senior camp staff will be printed on the back of every nametag. These numbers will be shared via email with families a week prior to camp.

Is it ok if my camper can not attend the entire week?

We strongly encourage campers to attend the full program. Camp is packed with group work and curricular activities that culminate toward the Friday presentation competition. Any time away from camp puts a camper and their group at a disadvantage in the competition.

I am a representative of a school district. Who can I contact for more information and special rate?

We have special pricing available for school districts sending multiple campers. Please email tapiacenter@rice.edu to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss your needs.

What prior knowledge/coursework is required for each project?

Campers interested in Techniques of a Pro Mathematician are expected to have completed high school-level geometry and have a basic understanding of the sine and cosine functions.

There are no pre-requisites for the Carbon Storage and College Admissions projects.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• Cancellations before May 1, 2026 will receive a full tuition refund minus a $100 cancellation fee.
• Cancellations between May 1 – 15, 2026 will receive a refund of 50% of the tuition minus a $100 cancellation fee.
• There will be no refunds after May 15, 2026.

Can I learn more about registration?

We have provided specific FAQs regarding registration below.

What is included in the price of the camp?

• Housing for 6 days/5 nights in the dorms at Rice University
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Sunday dinner through Friday lunch
• Camp t-shirts
• 24/7 supervision
• All instructional materials
• Evening programming
• Field trip to NASA, including transportation, entrance fee, and lunch

Note: Campers will not need any funds during camp. Some campers may want to spend money on the gift shop at NASA.

After I register, when will I hear from Tapia Camps again?

Families should expect to hear from Tapia Camps one month prior to the camp session. This email will include general information about registration and other pertinent information. Tapia Camps will email again the week before the session with specific information about registration.

We suggest you follow us on social media for additional information about the Tapia Center and its programs.

LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram

Who can I contact if I have questions between now and camp?

Please email Tapiacenter@rice.edu with any questions.

How will my child get to Rice University?

Tapia Camps does not provide transportation to and from campus. Families are expected to provide transportation to and from campus. If you are coming with your school district, please contact them for specific plans.

Who attends Tapia Camps?

Tapia Camps is open to any rising 8th through 12th-grade student interested in STEM. Campers come from all over Texas and other places in the United States. We typically have a few international campers each year. Each week of camp typically has 100-150 campers.

Why should my child attend?

We believe we provide a high-quality program to campers based on the ideas of Dr. Tapia, including global excellence and Si se puede. Tapia Camps provides STEM activities on a college campus with campers from a wide array of backgrounds. Our campers grow in both academics as well as intangible areas such as courage, independence, and persistence. We encourage families to do their own research about the benefits of summer camps, socialization, and college exploration.

Do campers attend more than one session?

We do not recommend that campers do more than one session, as the program is almost identical from week to week.

What are the accommodations like at camp?

We have provided specific FAQs regarding camper accommodations below.

What are the dorms like?

Campers will live in McMurtry College at Rice University. Campers will either be in a double or a single. Doubles are shared by two campers of the same gender and include a bathroom. Singles have one camper and a shared bathroom in the hallway.

The rooms include a twin XL bed (NOT a regular twin!), a desk, a chair, and a dresser. Rooms do NOT include bedding, towels, pillows, soap, or other hygiene products such as shampoo and conditioner.

Can my camper room with a friend?

We cannot commit to placing your child with a requested roommate. Campers are placed in singles or doubles based on availability.

It is also helpful to know that campers spend very little time in their dorm rooms. Campers typically leave their rooms around 7:00 a.m. and return around 9:00 p.m. Because of this, campers who want to spend time together usually have many opportunities to do so during the day through activities, meals, and evening events.

Should I send food for my camper?

Tapia Campers will eat in the dining halls for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dining halls are all-you-can-eat cafeterias with a wide variety of foods. Campers may bring additional snacks to keep in their rooms, but it is unnecessary.

Due to allergy concerns, please DO NOT allow your child to bring any products with nuts.

Do campers need to bring their own computers?

Campers do not need to bring their own computers. Computers will be provided as needed. Tapia Camps is not responsible for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged during the week.

My child is packing a lot. Is there an elevator?

Yes! There is an elevator in McMurtry. Additionally, we have staff members who are happy to help with move-in!

I am worried about my child being away from home. What can I do for my child to ease the transition?

We understand this can be both exciting and challenging at the same time. Consider writing your camper a note to leave in their suitcase (yes, it is old school, but it works!) As you get closer to camp, ensure that your camper has all the items they will need. Encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity to meet new people and enjoy new experiences. Remind them that there are always staff members available if they are in need. Additionally, you are only a phone call away! Even the most hesitant camper on Sunday realizes that it has gone by too fast by Friday!

I am worried about my child being away from home. What can I do for myself to ease the transition?

We also recognize that this is the longest some parents have spent away from their children. It is not uncommon for parents to have a more difficult time transitioning than the campers! If you are concerned, plan something for each day that your child is at camp. Ideas- finally take those donations out of the trunk, read a good book, take yourselves to the movies, catch up on your email, reach out to a friend you haven’t heard from in a minute. :)

My child has a specific diet. Do I need to send all meals with them?

Rice University provides meals for the community year-round. They are well-versed in addressing dietary restrictions. Vegetarians, vegans, Halal, Kosher, and gluten-free diets are easily accommodated in the dining halls. For more complex dietary restrictions, Tapia Staff will connect the camper with the culinary staff to ensure the needs are met.
If your child could be described as a “picky eater,” please do not worry. The dining hall provides basic kid-friendly food, such as pizza and cereal, as well as food for more mature palates, such as international dishes. There will be plenty of options for your child.

Will my child have access to a refrigerator and a microwave?

Tapia Camps cannot provide access to refrigerators and microwaves for campers. If there is a medical need, please note that on the registration form, and we will contact you to make necessary arrangements.

Can I learn more about the camp experience?

We have provided specific FAQs regarding the camp experience below.

What are the major expectations for campers while at Tapia Camps?

Tapia Campers:

1. Leave a place better than they found it.
2. Show appreciation

Can my child have their phone at camp?

Tapia Camps expects campers to use their phones responsibly. We have historically not felt it was necessary to take or restrict phones. Campers will receive a gentle reminder not to use their phones during presentations or direct instructional time. Campers should not wear AirPods or headphones at any time outside of the dorms. Campers should use their phones for research, to take photos with their friends, or to record the hands-on activities.

Please note- campers will have activities around campus. This includes walking in grass, on sidewalks, in buildings, outside buildings, etc. If a camper loses their AirPods, we typically cannot go back to search for them. Therefore, we strongly encourage campers to leave headphones and AirPods in their dorm rooms.

Will my child have access to WiFi?

Yes, visitors at Rice may use the Rice Visitor wifi during their time on campus.

What are the ages for camp, and how will classes and dorms be organized?

Tapia Camp is open to rising 8th through 12th grade students, which are typically 13-18 years old. Campers will have two main groups during the week. Their counseling group will include their roommate and will be comprised of campers with the same counselor. This is the group they will be in from dinner to breakfast. Their classroom group will be largely based on grade level, so these campers will typically be around the same age. Campers will be with these groups from breakfast until dinner each day.

Campers who are 18 years of age during camp will not room with anyone under the age of 18.

Campers who have unique rooming needs should reach out to the Tapia Center as soon as possible. We are required by the university to finalize the room assignments at least one week prior to camp. We will likely be unable to accommodate last-minute room changes.

Will my child be supervised? By whom? What are the coverage ratios?

Instructors supervise campers from breakfast until dinner.

Counselors supervise campers from dinner until breakfast.

Super Staffers are Rice graduates who work year-round for the Tapia Center. They provide an additional layer of support throughout the week, both behind the scenes and with campers.

Senior Staff include the Camp Director, Assistant Directors, and Director of Sales. Senior Staff members are K-12 educators and college professors (read: “old”!). Senior Staff have been working at camps for a minimum of four years, but most have been working in camps for closer to 10+ years. They have extensive training and experience in working with youth, educating, and managing situation that arise at camp. Senior Staff members live on campus for the duration of camp and are available for campers when needed.

The staff-to-camper ratio varies slightly from week to week, but is generally 1:10.

What is a typical day at Tapia Camps?

Each day is slightly different. The general flow of the typical day includes

7:30 Wake up
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-12:00 Project Time
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-5:30 Project Time
5:30-6:30 Dinner
6:30-9:30 Evening Program (eg. Scavenger Hunt or Talent Show)
9:30-10:00 Closing and Room Checks

What time will my child go to sleep?

We require campers to be in their rooms by Room Checks. (This is typically between 9:30 and 10:00, but varies slightly due to evening activities.) We do not require campers to go to sleep (as we know many of our campers have different sleep schedules) We ask that all campers are respectful of their roommates when it comes to lights, streaming videos, talking on the phone, etc.

My child is learning English. Is it ok for my child to attend?

Absolutely! We celebrate multilingualism at camp! We encourage campers to communicate in the language they prefer. Typically, our staff speaks at least 5 languages, but often it is closer to 10-15. We hope that all campers will learn new words in another language by the end of the week!
If your camper needs significant language support, please let us know. We would love to be prepared prior to your arrival!

Can family members visit during camp?

Family members are invited and encouraged to attend the Final Showcase on Friday, starting at 9:30am. Due to background requirements, family members are unable to visit campers during camp.

What should my child do if they forgot to bring something to camp?

Campers forget things! It is ok! The camper should speak to their counselor or any staff member. We will ensure that campers have any necessary items while they are with us.

What is the Talent Show?

One of the Tapia Camp traditions is to have a Talent Show on the last night of camp. Sometimes, this is a showcase of extraordinary talent- singing, dancing, magic shows, stand-up comedy, or unique talents. Other times, this is a fun party with group acts, karaoke, and a game night. The main point is for campers to celebrate the week and have a night of fun with their new friends.

Campers have the option to bring costumes, instruments, or other supplies for the Talent Show.

What should my child wear while at camp?

Tapia Camps provides campers with t-shirts that they will wear each day. Campers may wear whatever bottoms they desire. We encourage campers to wear comfortable shoes, as we will be active most days. Additionally, campers may want to bring a sweater or sweatshirt for classrooms with high-functioning air conditioning.

What do we do if we need support after camp?

We have provided specific FAQs regarding the protocols after camp below.

My child left something in the dorm room. What now?

Unfortunately, the dorms are turned over during breakfast on Fridays. Any forgotten items cannot be retrieved. Please encourage your camper to double- and triple-check their room before going to breakfast on Friday morning.

My child left something at camp. How can I get it back?
Please contact the Tapia Center. We keep items for 1 week following a camp session.

Can my child contact camp staff after camp ends?

Campers and camp staff may choose to continue contact after camp. This is at the discretion of the camper, the parents, and the staff member.

Can you give me contact information for other campers?

Tapia Camps does not share camper information with other campers. If campers wish to share contact information, they should arrange that prior to departing camp.

Can I learn more about safety and emergency protocols at camp?

We have provided specific FAQs regarding the safety and emergency protocols below.

Who do I contact in case of an emergency?

Campers receive their nametags at the first stop during registration. Emergency numbers for Senior Staff, Rice University Police Department, and Rice University Emergency Medical Services are on the back of every nametag. We recommend that parents take a photo of those phone numbers at registration.

Rice University Police (RUPD) - 713-348-6000

How can I get emergency alerts from Rice University?

We encourage all families to sign up for Rice University alerts.

What steps does Tapia Camps take to ensure my child's safety?

No school, camp, or environment can promise absolute safety for the community. However, Rice University and Tapia Camps take the safety of campers and staff seriously.

Rice University has an on-campus police department that is trained extensively in various emergency situations. Additional information can be found on their website. Rice University Emergency Management maintains the campus year-round. They have extensive plans for addressing various scenarios.

Tapia Trivia- We held camp during Hurricane Beryl in 2024. While the surrounding neighborhoods faced flooding and power outages, Rice continued operating with functioning dining, no power interruptions, etc.

Tapia Camps takes camp-specific steps to provide a safe environment for campers:

• All staff are First Aid and CPR certified.
• All staff have completed a Rice University background check.
• All staff receive training on mandated reporting.
• Staff receive approximately 50 hours of training prior to the first day of camp.
• Tapia Camps provides safety guidelines for campers twice on Sunday night, in posted signs throughout the camp space, and throughout the week as needed.
• Tapia Camps adheres to the rule of 3, ensuring that campers and staff avoid 1:1 interactions in private spaces.
• Tapia Camps provides multiple layers of supervision, including counselors, instructors, super staff, and senior staff. Counselors, super staff, and senior staff reside on campus. Campers have staff available for support 24 hours a day for the duration of their time on campus.

Tapia Senior Staff works closely with Rice University officials to ensure alignment and awareness of all emergency protocols.

What happens if my child gets sick at camp?

Tapia Camps has a “better safe than sorry” approach to contacting families when there is a medical concern with a camper. We will call if the camper complains of illness or appears unwell.

Typically, medical issues can be resolved by the camper drinking more water, taking over-the-counter medicine (Aspirin, stomach medicine, etc.), and resting. We can provide basic medicines with parental consent.
If the camper has a more serious illness, we will typically offer three options to the family: the camper can be picked up from camp, we can contact Rice Emergency Medical Services (REMS), or we can take the camper directly to the hospital (located directly across the street from Rice)

If there is an emergent medical situation, emergency services will be called immediately.

My child takes medication. What do I do?

Please contact Dr. Karen Kassekert, Assistant Camp Director at kmk8@rice.edu.

What should my child do if they have a problem at camp?

Campers will likely have a concern at some point during the week. This is part of the camp experience. Typical concerns include not knowing how to connect with their roommate, forgetting their towel or pillow, struggling to interact with campers who may have different characteristics, headaches from not drinking enough water, stomachaches from a change in diet, etc.

The first step for campers should always be to speak to the closest staff member, typically either their counselor or instructor. Campers may also reach out to other staff members or a member of Senior Staff. In the unlikely case that the concern is not resolved by the closest staff member, the camper should reach out ot the Super Staffer or Senior Staff.

While it is typical for a camper to have some concern over the course of the week, we strive to resolve issues quickly so that campers can return to an enjoyable experience!

My child has a specific concern that I would like to discuss with someone. Who do I speak to about specific concerns with my child?

Please reach out to Dr. Karen Kassekert, Assistant Director at kmk8@rice.edu.

My child is not responding to my text messages. Should I worry?

This is one of the most common “problems” at camp! Do not worry if it has been a few hours since they responded! It likely means they are engaged in learning, fun, making friends, or taking in the new experiences. We strive to be more engaging than their cell phones! Remember, campers are in programming from roughly 8 AM until 9:30 PM.
We kindly request that you do not call emergency numbers (either Rice University Police or Senior Staff) if your child does not immediately respond.

Have more questions about the camps? Please email us at tapiacenter@rice.edu or call (713)-348-5182.