SCHOOL HOUSE MANIA
RICE BASKETBALL
DECEMBER 11 & 16, 2026
Rice's Tudor Fieldhouse turns into a busting educational classroom with activity as more than 4,000 energetic students from greater Houston area independent school districts learn about mathematics and science and attend a men's basketball game each year. The annual "School House Mania" event is sponsored by the Rice Athletics Department and Fun with Chemistry. Prior to the game, students participate in educational activities.
Rice Fun with Chemistry is a Welch Foundation-funded chemistry outreach organization serving K-12 students in the Houston area. The primary goal of the program is to help local students picture themselves when they envision a scientist. To date, the program has served over 33k+ local students through 150 events. Programs include assembly-style chemistry demonstrations, booth-style hands-on activities at STEM Nights, and educator workshops, all free of charge to the schools and educators. Rice Fun with Chemistry's team of volunteers have also hosted programs in Spanish, American Sign Language, and for students with alternate abilities. Outside of the traditional lab or classroom, this program allows for graduate and undergraduate volunteers to integrate service-learning, mentorship, and age-appropriate explanations into their science curriculum. To learn more, please visit ricefunwithchem.com or search for @ricefunwithchem on social media.
4,000+ energetic students from area school districts (Aldine ISD, Alvin ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Houston ISD, Humble ISD, Pearland ISD, and Spring Branch ISD) learning about mathematics and science and attending a Rice Basketball game.