The Rice Office of STEM Engagement welcomed more than 100 of the city’s most vital partners — leading educators, community organization directors, key political representatives and dedicated program funders — to a collaborative luncheon in October. The tremendous turnout and shared enthusiasm confirm a powerful truth: advancing quality STEM education is a united, collaborative effort across the entire Greater Houston area.
The R-STEM mission is to build STEM knowledge, skills and leadership by providing innovative learning experiences from pre-K through career. This work is guided by our vision that every student in our community deserves a high-quality STEM education that empowers them to become tomorrow’s innovators and problem solvers.
The luncheon served as a vibrant showcase of the symbiotic relationship between Rice University and the Houston community. It was a crucial opportunity for our network of external partners to connect directly with the Rice faculty, researchers and students who are actively driving R-STEM’s outreach. This collaborative forum allows us to ensure our programs are responsive to the specific needs of Houston schools and students.
The core strategy of R-STEM is built on high-impact partnerships that deliver tangible results in local schools. Over the past year, these collaborations have enabled R-STEM to deliver more than 1,000 hours of direct K–12 student programming and nearly 1,500 hours of professional development for teachers serving students across various Houston-area districts. This is not just about logging hours; it’s about investing in the classrooms where Houston’s next generation of scientists, engineers and civic leaders are being shaped.
The programs empower Houston teachers with world-class, research-based curriculum and the confidence to integrate real-world connections into their lessons. Feedback from partners is clear: R-STEM provides adaptable, rigorous content that sparks curiosity and creates supportive, engaging learning environments.
Crucially, the data support the efficacy of this collaborative model. Research into these programs consistently shows a direct correlation between R-STEM participation and positive student outcomes, including increased graduation rates and a higher likelihood of pursuing a high-school STEM endorsement. By strengthening teachers, R-STEM is actively and measurably shaping the pipeline of future talent that is essential for Houston’s continued economic vitality and innovation sector.
These partnerships underscore Rice’s deep commitment to being an anchor institution that actively contributes to the educational and civic strength of its home city. R-STEM looks forward to continuing this vital work with all its Houston collaborators and invites others to join in this essential commitment to a shared future.
MATTHEW CUSHING
Executive Director
Rice Office of STEM Engagement