What we’re about
Welcome to Houston Science Enthusiasts! Founded in 2010 (under the original name Houston Super Secret Science Club), our goal is to provide a place for people interested in science to find and gather at the most interesting science-related activities in the Greater Houston region. These include gatherings at the many science-related lectures held at area universities and other educational institutions, visits to museums, outdoors field trips and social mixers at local pubs and restaurants. The idea to make these meet-ups entertaining and interesting to the lay community as well as those from the ranks of professional scientists. Anyone can join -- you don't need a Ph.D., just some curiosity.
You also are invited to join our Facebook group, where we continue the discussion online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HoustonSuperSecretScienceClub/
Find our listing of Houston Science Resources here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/houston-science-enthusiasts/houston-science-resources/637381806593089/
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- From Chemistry to Life: Clues from Earth, Experiments, and SpaceLunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, TX
HYBRID: "Discover how simple chemistry can make the building blocks of life**.** These reactions may be widespread in our solar system, including on worlds that may support life today or in its past. The challenge ahead is distinguishing between something that is truly alive from chemistry that is life-like.
"Join USRA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. CDT for a free public presentation by LPI Staff Scientist Dr. Laura Rodriguez. In her talk “From Chemistry to Life: Clues from Earth, Experiments, and Space,” Dr. Rodriguez will discuss what we know about the earliest life on Earth, chemistry that may have been important for the emergence of life, and strategies to not only search for life, but to help unravel the conditions required for an origin of life event.
"This presentation will be available in-person and virtually. In-person attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. A short reception with the speaker will follow the presentation."
Event page: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/features/2025/082625/from-chemistry-to-life/
In-person at the Lunar and Planetary Institute
3600 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058For those who are unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live through the LPI YouTube channel beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT.
- Open House at Rice ObservatoryBrockman Hall for Physics - Rice University, Houston, TX
FREE EVENT: The Rice Space Institute will host a Rice University Observatory Open House. In the late evening will be a rare transit of Titan's shadow on Saturn. More details to follow.
For more details and any late-minute changes, please check
https://www.ruf.rice.edu/~ruco/open_houses.htmlLocation: Brockman Hall for Physics (NOT FOR OPERA), NO lecture this time. Meet on the observatory deck (4th floor). Elevator (and bathrooms) is in the east wing of the building.
Brockman Hall on Rice Interactive Map: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=473#!ct/71275,71276,71277?m/119182?s/Brockman
Parking: The closest parking is in the "North Lot", between entrances 20 and 21. Use a credit card for entry and exit. Less expensive parking in the Greenbriar lot, west of the stadium.
North Lot on Rice Interactive Map: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=473#!m/126305?s/key=North%20Parking%20Lot
Parking Facilities and Rates: https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates
For weather updates see the campus observatory page:
https://www.ruf.rice.edu/~ruco/open_houses.htmlTo receive email notices of these and other space related events and lectures, visit: https://rice.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3ee53fcb840532b6725e9eb49&id=b6fab36db5
Top photo: Alex V NEOproject.org (HSE member)
- The Information: a history, a theory, a floodCafe Express, Houston, TX
IN PERSON: Let's meet and talk about information based on James Gleick's book.
"From the bestselling author of the acclaimed Chaos and Genius comes a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the big ideas of the modern era: Information, communication, and information theory.
"Acclaimed science writer James Gleick presents an eye-opening vision of how our relationship to information has transformed the very nature of human consciousness. A fascinating intellectual journey through the history of communication and information, from the language of Africa’s talking drums to the invention of written alphabets; from the electronic transmission of code to the origins of information theory, into the new information age and the current deluge of news, tweets, images, and blogs. Along the way, Gleick profiles key innovators, including Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace, Samuel Morse, and Claude Shannon, and reveals how our understanding of information is transforming not only how we look at the world, but how we live."
Everyone is welcome whether you have explored the topic before or not.
You can:
- read sample
- view past selections
- view pool of candidates
- add your ideas to the pool of candidates
- join the chat group on Signal
At this meeting each person can nominate a book to be voted on whether it is from the pool of candidates or not.
We'll be meeting at Cafe Express. There is ample parking in the nearby lot.
Come prepared to discuss the ideas in the book and have a good time.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
