Viper Day

Viper Day is an event designed to give high school students from local schools districts a sample of the biomedical research conducted at the National Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC), as well as show them the benefits of pursing a degree in science. There will be a keynote speaker, presentations of the research conducted at the NNTRC, games, prizes, and tours of the NNTRC labs and Serpentarium. Tours of other campus facilities may be availble on request. In addition to all of this, seniors who will attend TAMUK the next Fall will be entered to win a scholarship!

For more information about the event and to reserve space for a group of students, please contact Nora Diaz-DeLeon at (361) 593-3082 or kanmd00@tamuk.edu


  • Schedule
  • Viper Day 'Millionaire'
  • Tours
  • Scholarships
    8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Registration and Poster Viewing


    • 9 AM - 9:30 AM
  • Viper Day Welcome & Overview


    • 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
  • Introduction of the Keynote Speaker
  • Keynote Address
  • Award Presentation


    • 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Break & Poster Review


    • 10:30 AM - 12 noon
  • Viper Day Trivia Game
  • Drawings
  • Scholarship Presentation


    • 12 noon - 1:00 PM
  • Lunch at MSUB


    • 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Tours of the NNTRC Laboratories in A.L. Kleberg Hall & the NNTRC Serpentarium
    (Tours will be given to groups of 30 in order of sign-in)

Prior to Viper Day, attending classes will be sent the research abstracts being presented by the NNTRC Researchers. These abstracts, along with basic information about science and the NNTRC, are used to create a special trivia game, "Who Wants to be a Viper Day 'Millionaire'?", styled after the television game-show. The visiting students are encouraged to visit with the NNTRC Researchers and view their poster presentations of their research, to help them play the game.

The names of one student from each school are drawn and the selected students are given a chance to win a voucher for pize money by correctly answering multiple choice questions. They are given 'life-lines' which allow them to ask a friend for the correct answer, poll the audience, remove incorrect answers and to skip one question.

Following lunch in the MSUB, visitors will be taken on tours of both the NNTRC Labs and the NNTRC Serpentarium. Undergraduate, masters' level and PhD researchers are on hand in the NNTRC Labs to explain the work they do for the Center, and to answer questions about the instruments in the labs.

The NNTRC Curator and Animal Technicians are ready to answer questions about the venomous snakes kept in the NNTRC Serpentarium, and to explain the many tasks and responsbilities that go into maintaining a supply of venom for the NNTRC Researchers. Questions about reptile husbandry and venomous snakes are welcomed.

During Viper Day, students attending TAMUK in the coming fall are entered into drawings for bookstore or academic scholarships. These scholarships are offered by former NNTRC students, and departments at TAMUK.

Teachers are asked to submit names of seniors attending TAMUK in the coming fall to Nora Diaz-DeLeon, so they can be included in the drawings.