What are Tapia Camps?
Tapia Camps are 6-day/5-night summer STEM camps at Rice University for middle and high school students from Houston, Texas, and beyond. Campers complete two STEM projects, each culminating in a presentation at the end of the camp. They are mentored by current undergraduate and graduate students, meet professors and industry professionals, and experience life on a college campus. Tapia Camps also include professional development programs for K-12 educators. A significant number of participants in the camps are from groups that are underrepresented within STEM fields, in line with the Tapia Center's mission of empowering all students to pursue education and careers in STEM.
What positions are being hired for camp?
Instructors
Instructors will lead classes at the Tapia STEM summer camps for middle school students, high school students, and/or K-12 educators. Additionally, they will chaperone campers at the weekly field trip and will lead a booth at the Sunday afternoon STEM fairs during camp. Typically, a pair of instructors will be responsible for a classroom of approximately 20 students between 8:15 AM and 5:30 PM each day. Instructors will be trained in the Tapia Center’s curriculum, including one project on Carbon Capture and Storage and another project on building an algorithm for college admissions. Instructors will also be trained in pedagogy and in creating safe, welcoming, and fun classrooms. Training will consist of four weekly two-hour zoom sessions beginning in late May in addition to in-person trainings on June 25 - 28. Camps will be Sundays-Fridays between 6/30 and 7/26. All applicants who feel comfortable in fields such as math, physics, chemistry, geology, engineering, computer science, or communication are encouraged to apply.
Instructors will:
- work 50 hrs/week for 4 weeks of camp and 50 hours of training. See Detailed Schedule for Instructors.
- earn $5000 in wages and $600 in meals
To apply:
- If you are a Rice student, apply here.
- If you are not a Rice student, email us your resume at tapiacenter@rice.edu.
Interviews and offers will be made on a rolling basis beginning on March 20, 2024.
Camp Counselors
Camp Counselors will plan and implement evening programming activities during the Tapia STEM summer camps at Rice University for middle and high school students. Counselors are responsible for directly supervising groups of approximately 15 campers. Counselors will additionally supervise breakfast and ensure campers get to class. Counselors are responsible for the safety and well-being of program participants during non-instructional hours of summer camp, including overnight. Counselors will be trained in all aspects of the job, including creating safe, welcoming, and fun environments. Training will consist of four weekly two-hour zoom sessions beginning in late May in addition to in-person trainings on June 25 - 28. Camps will be Sundays-Fridays between 6/30 and 7/26. Applicants from all fields of study are encouraged to apply.
Camp Counselors will:
- work 50 hrs/week for 4 weeks of camp and 50 hours of training. See Detailed Schedule for Camp Counselors.
- earn $5000 in wages and $600 in meals
- be provided housing in a Rice University residence hall between 6/24 and 7/27.
- be required to live in the provided housing while camp is in session.
To apply:
- If you are a Rice student, apply here.
- If you are not a Rice student, email us your resume at tapiacenter@rice.edu.
Interviews and offers will be made on a rolling basis beginning on March 20, 2024.
Event Staff and Other Positions
Tapia Camps need additional staff members in order to ensure a high quality experience for campers. If you would like to be involved in Tapia Camps and the positions above are not a good fit for you, please email tapiacenter@rice.edu. Desired roles include events staff, graphic design, and customer service.
