Rice Science Café
The Rice Science Café is a meeting where for the price of a cup of coffee or tea, a glass of wine or beer, anyone can come explore and debate the latest ideas in science and technology.
A science café's casual meeting place, plain language and inclusive conversation create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for people with no science background. A scientist gives a brief presentation on an interesting topic in their area of expertise to kick off the discussion.
Two virtual Science Café's were held in Spring 2021. In March, Dr. Kristen Siebach from Rice's Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences spoke about "Roving Mars with Curiosity and Perseverance." Dr. Kaden Hazzard and Dr. Guido Pagano from Rice's Department of Physics and Astronomy spoke about "Science for the Quantum Revolution" in April. Watch the recorded presentations below.
The most recent Science Café was held in Fall 2021 at The Ion. Three faculty from Rice's Department of Biosciences, Dr. Matthew Bennett, Dr. James Chappell and Dr. Joff Silberg, spoke about "Building the Future with Synthetic Biology." The next Science Café will be held in Spring 2022.
Additional Natural Sciences outreach events
- Reach for the Stars STEM Festival
- Rice Space Institute - Space Frontier Lectures
- World Oceans Day (at Houston Museum of Natural Science)