About us
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
13
The coming wave
Cafe Express, 780 W Sam Houston Pkwy N Suite 100, Houston, TX, USIN PERSON: Let's meet and talk about the existential dangers that AI and biotechnology pose to humankind based on Mustafa Suleyman's book.
"We are approaching a critical threshold in the history of our species. Everything is about to change.
"Soon you will live surrounded by AIs. They will organize your life, operate your business, and run core government services. You will live in a world of DNA printers and quantum computers, engineered pathogens and autonomous weapons, robot assistants and abundant energy.
"None of us are prepared.
"As co-founder of the pioneering AI company DeepMind, part of Google, Mustafa Suleyman has been at the center of this revolution. The coming decade, he argues, will be defined by this wave of powerful, fast-proliferating new technologies.
"In The Coming Wave Suleyman shows how these forces will create immense prosperity but also threaten the nation-state, the foundation of global order. As our fragile governments sleepwalk into disaster, we face an existential dilemma: unprecedented harms on one side, the threat of overbearing surveillance on the other.
"How do we ensure the flourishing of humankind? How do we maintain control? How do we navigate the narrow path to a successful future?
"This groundbreaking work from the ultimate AI insider establishes the containment problem—the task of maintaining control over powerful technologies—as the essential challenge of our age."
Everyone is welcome to participate in our IN PERSON conversation, whether you have explored the topic before or not.
You can:
- join the chat group
- read sample
- view past selections
- view pool of candidates
- add your ideas to the pool of candidates
At this meeting each person can nominate a publication 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 and share ideas on the topic and have a good time.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
How to find us: look for the table with a black flashlight.
13 attendees
Rice Observatory Open House: When Moons Align
Brockman Hall for Physics - Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX, USFREE EVENT: The Rice Space Institute will host a Rice University Observatory Open House with a talk about the alignment of Jupiter's moons.
Description: "There will be an open house at the campus observatory from 8-11pm on Saturday, October 17, preceded by a talk at 7pm in BRK 101 entitled "When Moons Align: The 2026/2027 Event Season for Jupiter's Satellites".
"Every six years or so, the orbits of Jupiter's satellites align with the Sun just right, and allow the satellites to shadow one another. We are entering such a window now and it will extend through early next year. At various times in the upcoming months it will be possible to use a small telescope to follow satellites as they fade and then recover.
"The talk will discuss how these phenomena relate to orbital resonances in the Jupiter system, and will identify the best opportunities to observe the events from Houston. Following the talk we will observe the Moon, Saturn, and other celestial objects. The weather should be nice and cool; come celebrate our first truly Fall weather with an evening at the Observatory."
Learn more here: https://events.rice.edu/event/443019-observatory-open-house-when-moons-align-the
The observatory website, https://www.ruf.rice.edu/~ruco/open_houses.html, will post the latest updates regarding weather and any last-minute changes to the schedule.
Location: Brockman Hall for Physics (NOT FOR OPERA)
Google map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Brockman+Hall+for+Physics/@29.7196714,-95.4041851,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640c07c7f054a5f:0xe52e9303a3e7fb96!8m2!3d29.7196714!4d-95.4016048!16s%2Fg%2F11c5xl0cy3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgxNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3DParking: 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.
Google map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/North+Parking+Lot+Rice+University/@29.7205748,-95.4211926,15z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgxNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3DParking Facilities and Rates: https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates
To receive email notices of these and other space related events and lectures, visit the RSI mailchimp signup page.
19 attendees
Human Exploration Across the Moon
·OnlineOnlineONLINE: "From ancient impact basins and volcanic landscapes to new vantage points for observing the Universe, future human explorers on the Moon will have immeasurable opportunities for scientific discovery.
"Join the National Academies for a virtual public briefing on our new report, Human Exploration Across the Moon. During the webinar, the study committee chairs will present priority destinations for human missions beyond the lunar poles, with a focus on achieving high-value science and paving the way for future exploration.
Event page and registration: https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DEPS-SSB-24-06/event/47378
6 attendees
Women in Coastal Science Speaker Series: Bridget vonHoldt
R.A. Apffel Beach Park Pavilion, 1923 Apffel Rd., Galveston, TX, USIN-PERSON: "The Women in Coastal Science Speaker Series is a free, award-winning program that brings together leading female scientists, conservationists, and researchers to share their expertise. Held monthly, this engaging series covers topics ranging from marine mammal rescue to habitat restoration, giving attendees an inside look at the critical efforts shaping our Gulf shores."
Bridgett vonHoldt is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University, where her research focuses on the conservation and population genomics of North American canids, including gray wolves, coyotes, Mexican wolves, and the critically endangered red wolf.
She is best known for uncovering surviving "ghost" red wolf genetic ancestry in Gulf Coast coyote populations, work that has reshaped recovery strategies for one of North America's most endangered carnivores. She serves on the IUCN’s Canid Specialist Group, is the founder and director of the North American Canine Ancestry Project, as well as a co-founder and lead geneticist for the Gulf Coast Canine Project.
Coffee and snacks starting at 3:30PM and speaking starts at 4:00PM
Here is a video profile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BSrkLBIi4g&t=1s
More information: https://www.visitgalveston.com/women-in-coastal-science/
Directions: https://www.visitgalveston.com/things-to-do/beaches/east-beach/
NOTE: This is a NON-HOSTED meetup.
1 attendee
Past events
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