ISEA 2026: Fossils to Future, 30 Years of Curiosity

Houston, TX

February 11 - 13, 2026

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Scholarships are available to attend the 2o26 conference. Applications will be accepted from November 1st to December 14th. Scholarship recipients will be notified by January 2nd.

ISEA 2026: Fossils to Future, 30 Years of Curiosity. Join us in Houston, where we’re not just fossils - We’re the life of the party! Gather with fellow science communicators as we celebrate three decades of ISEA and embark on an adventure from prehistoric wonders to futuristic discoveries.

Outstanding keynote and featured speakers, professional development sessions, poster presentations, networking activities, and on-site workshops will connect participants to informal science education movements that are shaping our field on state and national levels. ISEA convenes over 125 educators from all over Texas to advance the work of informal science and strengthen our network of practice.

The 2026 Informal Science Education Association Conference: Fossils to Future, 30 Years of Curiosity will occur on February 11-13, 2026. Blast off for an unforgettable three-day Conference: evening Wednesday (5:30pm to 8:30pm), a full day Thursday (9 am-6pm), and a half day Friday (9am-1pm) with optional pre-conference workshops on Wednesday.

Our host site is Houston Museum of Natural Science (5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030).

Let’s “cell”ebrate a vibrant community of educators ready to inspire science for all, y’all!

Early-bird registration: $275 (ends January 12th)

Regular registration: $325 (ends January 29th)

Registration Closes Jan. 29th

Keynote Speaker: Kallie Moore

Kallie Moore is an enthusiastic paleontologist and science communicator.  She is the Collections Manager, or ‘Fossil Librarian’, of the paleontology collection at the University of Montana and co-host the YouTube channel PBS Eons.  During her career, Kallie also consulted for Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park on renovations to the DINOSAUR ride, as well as hosted a livestream for the newly renovated Deep Time Hall at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  Her debut children's book, Tales of the Prehistoric World, was released by Neon Squid in the fall of 2022. And she is an Executive Producer on Why Dinosaurs? a documentary about dinosaurs and the people that love them.

Keynote Speaker: Penney Stanch

Penney Stanch is a safety and health engineer and is a certified industrial hygienist (CIH), certified safety professional (CSP), and certified professional ergonomist (CPE). On the daily basis she combines chemistry, physics, human biology, statistics and psychology to ensure employees stay safe and equipment, tools, and materials are designed ergonomically. Penney’s previous roles included  helping to design equipment for the International Space Station with Nasa, and now specializes in inclusive design for employees with disabilities.

Coastal Prairie Conservancy

Join us on a tour of CPC’s Indiangrass Preserve! Visit their Native Seed Nursery and explore the 55 acres of newly restored prairie and trails!

“The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (formerly the Katy Prairie Conservancy) was formed in 1992 to conserve the coastal prairie for people and wildlife before it disappears.

The Greater Houston region has experienced rapid growth, resulting in the conversion of farms, fields, and prairies into strip malls, offices, parking lots, and proliferating suburbs, consuming thousands of acres of the coastal prairie, one of the most important and threatened ecosystems in North America. In an effort to safeguard this important ecosystem, the Coastal Prairie Conservancy continues to work toward four primary goals: increasing protected coastal prairie lands, restoring and enhancing conserved lands, collaborating with other organizations to ensure a vibrant and resilient community, and connecting the public with nature through public access, educational programming, and outreach.

The mission of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy: Sustaining a resilient Texas by preserving coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches to benefit people and wildlife forever.”

$25

Houston Arboretum

Join us on a tour of the Houston Arboretum!

“The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a 155-acre non-profit urban nature sanctuary located just miles from Downtown Houston on the western edge of Memorial Park. Established in 1967, the Arboretum was one of the first nature education facilities for children in the state of Texas, and it continues to provide nature education for more than 10,000 children annually and reach over 600,000 visitors each year.

Visitors can enjoy 5 miles of nature trails, winding through native prairie, savanna, wetland, woodland, and riparian habitats. Six educational Field Stations throughout the site offer information about local plants and wildlife as well as places to sit and take in the views. The Arboretum’s eight ponds and wetland areas, along with Buffalo Bayou along its southern border, provide ample opportunities for exciting wildlife sightings.

The mission of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is to provide education about the natural environment to people of all ages and to protect and enhance the Arboretum as a haven and as a sanctuary for native plants and animals.”

$25

Want to represent ISEA and support our organization’s fundraiser? Purchase a shirt or hoodie!