Inquiry Weeks: Celebrating Undergraduate Research, Design, and Creative Work at Rice University.
April 11th – 24th, 2026
Sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI)
The mission of Inquiry Weeks is to recognize and celebrate ongoing research, design, and creative work by undergraduate students at Rice University. The two-week event aims to provide an opportunity for students to showcase their projects and achievements in variety of settings, while students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to learn more about the projects occurring at Rice.
OURI will host an expanded Shapiro Showcase Competition with representation from every school and an award ceremony/recognition event. The collective efforts of the Rice community allow for this annual event to highlight and celebrate the incredible scholarly and creative contributions of undergraduate researchers.
Monday, April 13th
The Humanities and Arts Festival
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Rice Memorial Center (RMC)
The Humanities and Arts Festival is a two-day showcase of undergraduate research and creative works in the School of Humanities and Arts. From engaging student presentations to a research poster exhibition, from student film screening to inspirational art, the festival celebrates the innovative and transformative research and creativity that are the hallmarks of our school.
Tuesday, April 14th
The Humanities and Arts Festival Day
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Rice Memorial Center (RMC)
The Humanities and Arts Festival is a two-day showcase of undergraduate research and creative works in the School of Humanities and Arts. From engaging student presentations to a research poster exhibition, from student film screening to inspirational art, the festival celebrates the innovative and transformative research and creativity that are the hallmarks of our school.
Wednesday, April 15th
Center for Civic Leadership Spring Showcase
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Grand Hall, Rice Memorial Center (RMC)
The CCL Showcase will highlight the work of students through community based learning and research, as well as, fellowship opportunities. Questions? Contact jkhalaf@rice.edu.
Fondren Library Literary Excellence Awards Showcase
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Brown Fine Arts Library
Come hear the winners of the Max Apple Prize in Nonfiction, Larry McMurtry Prize in Fiction, and Susan Wood Prize in Poetry read their works. Enjoy attractions from the Woodson Research Center, Athena Press printing activities, and a rare book petting zoo. More information at https://library.rice.edu/creative-writing. Submission deadline March 8th.
Thursday, April 16th
Social Sciences Research + Creative Showcase (SSURS)
12:00 - 1:30 pm Symposium
4:00 - 5:00 pm Oral Presentations
5:00 - 6:00 pm Awards & Reception
Kraft Hall
The School of Social Science's annual Undergraduate Research Symposium showcases the research, scholarly and creative work conducted by our majors. More information at https://gateway.rice.edu/research-symposium. Registration deadline March 17th.
Fondren Fellows Presentations
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm, Farnsworth Pavilion, Rice Memorial Center (RMC)
Through the Fondren Fellows program, undergraduate and graduate students are examining these and other questions in collaboration with faculty and library mentors. As the culmination of their work, 2025-2026 Fondren Fellows will give lightning talks highlighting what they have accomplished. A reception will follow. This event is open to all. More info at https://library.rice.edu/places/fondren-fellows.
Huff OEDK Engineering Design Showcase
4:30 - 7:00 pm at The ION
This showcase and competition highlights many of the school’s engineering design projects and represent our students’ success. The competition is open to all engineering design projects for each discipline of engineering. The evening will host 80+ judges made up of engineering alumni and local industry to help with the poster session competition. More information at https://oedk.rice.edu/showcase.
Friday, April 17th
Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) Showcase
1:00 - 3:00 pm, Grand Hall, RMC
The OURI VIP Showcase features projects, individuals, and research involved with a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) at Rice University. In addition to showcasing undergraduate research, the event is an opportunity for faculty, students, and community to learn about Vertically Integrated Projects. More information at: https://ouri.rice.edu/vip.
Baker Institute Research Intern Showcase
2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Baker Institute Commons
This is a poster session for individual research done in 2025-2026 by research assistant undergraduates of Baker Institute research centers and programs, and also the BIPP Summer in DC Policy Research Internship Program.
Saturday, April 18th
Natural Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium
9:00am Breakfast & Registration
9:45–10:45am Poster Session I
11:00–11:45am Breakout Session I
11:45am Lunch
12:15–1:15pm Poster Session II
1:30–2:15pm Breakout Session II
2:30–3:30pm Poster Session III
3:45–4:30pm Science in a Flash Finals & Awards
BRC
The Natural Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium celebrates undergraduate research in all Natural Sciences disciplines. The event will feature several poster sessions showcasing student research through judged poster presentations, a Rice faculty keynote speaker and a reception for all participants. More information at https://naturalsciences.rice.edu/undergraduate-research-symposium.
Monday, April 20th
OURI’s Shapiro Showcase Research Competition
Session I: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Session II: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Session III: 2:30 - 3:30 pm
RMC, Farnsworth Pavilion
Nominated undergraduates will deliver 8-minute talks on their intermediate to advanced research, followed by a short Q&A. One winner will be selected through judge evaluations and announced at the award reception. Representation from Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science, Engineering, Music, Architecture, Business. More information at https://ouri.rice.edu/events-and-fairs/shapiro-showcase.
Tuesday, April 21st
OURI’s Shapiro Showcase Research Competition
Session IV: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Session V: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Session VI: 2:30 pm - 3:30
RMC, Farnsworth Pavilion
Nominated undergraduates will deliver 8-minute talks on their intermediate to advanced research, followed by a short Q&A. One winner will be selected through judge evaluations and announced at the award reception. Representation from Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science, Engineering, Music, Architecture, Business. More information at https://ouri.rice.edu/events-and-fairs/shapiro-showcase.
Napier Rice Launch Challenge
5:30 - 8:30 pm, RMC, Grand Hall
The H. Albert Napier Rice Launch Challenge (NRLC) is Rice’s new venture competition, where undergraduate, graduate, and MBA students pitch their business ventures to win a share of $100,000+ in equity-free funding, all while launching their venture on the biggest stage of the year. More at https://entrepreneurship.rice.edu/napier-rice-launch-challenge
Wednesday, April 22nd
OURI's Shapiro Showcase Final Luncheon
12:00 - 1:00 pm in Farnsworth Pavilion, Rice Memorial Center (RMC)
Final four Shapiro Showcase competitors present projects over lunch. Mentors, students, judges invited. More information at https://ouri.rice.edu/events-and-fairs/shapiro-showcase.
Thursday, April 23rd
Department of Art's Senior Thesis Exhibition
7:00 - 9:00 pm, Sarofim Hall
Please join the Department of Art’s Senior Thesis Exhibition featuring work in diverse media created by art majors their senior year. More details and information to come! art.rice.edu.