The Rice Space Insitute presents its **15th Reach for the Stars! Festival**, for middle-school girls and chaperones.

“This year we are exceptionally excited to bring [Dr. Shannon Walker](https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/walker-shannon) as our Keynote Speaker. Shannon holds three degrees in Space Science from Rice University (BS, MS and PhD), and was the first woman to fly to the ISS on the Dragon as part of “Crew 1” (check out her [amazing photos](https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/albums/72157664109957076/with/9457381361/)).”

**NOTE**: Actual times to be announced.

**[Sign up on the mailing list](https://rice.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3e25087e431552b0a6ecbb25b&id=1f551460cc)** to get on our list for an invitation.

Because we did not host an event in school year 22-23, 9th grade girls will also be allowed to participate this fall.

**Middle school girls:** Join us for a fun day of exciting hands-on activities and meet some amazing role models!

Each girl (or group of girls) must have an adult chaperone – a teacher or a parent or designate. Each adult can bring up to 10 girls. Instead of choosing individual workshops, each girl (or group of girls) will choose an “interest track” and will get two hands-on workshops and a job panel discussion related to that track, plus the keynote and time in the exhibit area. If, for example, 6 girls want one track and 4 girls want a different track, then there needs to be two chaperones (one for each group).

There is a modest registration fee to cover lunch; however, if any girl needs financial support, the chaperone/teacher should contact [email protected]; because of our amazing financial supporters, we can offer scholarships to deserving girls.

Here are the interest tracks the girls can choose from:

* A: SPACE and ASTRONOMY
* B: MEDICINE (including space medicine and Bioscience)
* C: PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, EARTH SCIENCE or MATH
* D: ENGINEERING and ROBOTICS

Learn more and sign up for updates here: [Ride STEM Festival (rice.edu)](https://space.rice.edu/ReachForTheStars/)