Welcome Earth and Planetary Explorers!
EEPS, Rice Space Sciences and R-STEM, in partnership with HISD hope you will join us on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 for an educational open house that is free and for all ages.
Explore the surface of Mars with Rovers and a virtual reality sandbox. The Discovery Dome will provide immersive planetarium-style experiences on a range of topics from Earth's glorious Aurora's to comet, meteor and asteroid impacts!
The open-house will be held in the Rice Stadium practice bubble and showcase topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences, from processes operating deep within the earth and how this influenced Earth's evolution, to the origin of our solar system where you will learn about how Earth-like planets are made and how they become habitable.
20+ stations will be grouped among the following themes: "Formation of the Solar System and Planets", "Planetary Interiors and Earth's Subsurface", "Surface, Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate". EEPS faculty and graduate students will share science concepts through multimedia, demonstrations and hands-on activities. There will also be educational giveaways. Turn in a completed science passport to receive a grand prize!
Bring your favorite rock, mineral or suspected meteorite! We will identify it and tell you about how it formed!
Please RSVP to help us know how many of you are coming, and to ensure we have adequate parking passes. RSVPs are encouraged, NOT REQUIRED.
Date: Saturday February 28, 2026
Time: 10 am- 2pm (plan to spend at least an hour exploring all the stations)
Time thought I'd save let's see here. Is there anything else I need?Place: Rice stadium practice bubble (Waltrip Indoor Training Center)
Parking: FREE- Greenbriar Entrance off Rice Blvd.
Food: Food trucks (shaved ice and american street food)