ISEA 2027: The Sky is NOT the Limit: Fueling Curiosity Beyond the Classroom
Session Proposals
Interested in being a Presenter at ISEA 2027? Join ISEA to share your best teaching strategies and programs that inspire curiosity in the world of informal science education.
Session Proposals Applications will be open from September 11th to November 25th. Selected presenters notified December 7th.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to attend the 2o27 conference. Applications will be accepted from November 2nd to December 11th (5pm). Scholarship recipients will be notified by December 16th.
ISEA 2027: The Sky is NOT the Limit: Fueling Curiosity Beyond the Classroom! Join us in Dallas, where we’re taking NEW HEIGHTS! Gather with fellow science educators as we share ideas, and look at the future of science educator beyond the classroom.
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 2027 Informal Science Education Association Conference: The Sky is NOT the Limit: Fueling Curiosity Beyond the Classroom will occur on February 10-12, 2027. Take off for an unforgettable three-day Conference: optional pre-conference workshops on Wednesday afternoon, evening opening event Wednesday (5:30pm to 8:30pm), a full day Thursday (8:00 am-8:30pm), and a half day Friday (8:15am-12:30pm) with option post conference activities Friday afternoon.
Our host site is the Frontiers of Flight Museum. (6911 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX).
Let’s put our tray tables up and our seats in a full upright position as we prepare to make as roaring take-off into the future of science education!
Early-bird registration: $275 (Nov. 2nd to January 8th)
Regular registration: $325 (Jan. 9th to January 26th)
Conference Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday - February 10, 2027
12:00pm-3:00pm: Optional Pre-Conference Workshops
5:30pm-8:30pm: Opening Event and Registration Packet Pick-up at On Rotation
Thursday - February 11, 2027
8:00am-5:00pm: Opening Keynote Speaker and Concurrent Sessions at Frontiers of Flight Museum
5:00pm-8:00pm: Poster Sessions and Evening Event at Frontiers of Flight Museum
Friday - February 12, 2027
8:15am-12:30pm: Concurrent Sessions and Closing Keynote Speaker at Frontiers of Flight
1:00pm-5:00pm: Optional Post-Conference Workshops
Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speaker: Melanie Byrd aka Melly the Science Geek
Melly is a Gen Z science communicator and a 2025 graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a B.S. in Biochemistry along with a certificate in forensic sciences. She educates and engages with her community of science geeks by exploring the weird, whacky, and whimsical parts of science. Think topics ranging from prion diseases and plague biology to chromosomal variations. Beyond sparking curiosity, she uses her platform to advocate for sustainability, gender equity in STEM, and greater accessibility in education.
Keynote Speaker: Joseph Zakrzewski
Joseph is a a strategic communicator, broadcaster, and creative leader with a passion for storytelling that connects people to purpose. For nearly two decades, he has helped organizations in aerospace, professional sports, and entertainment craft compelling narratives, build meaningful relationships, and deliver impactful messages across a multitude of platforms.
Today, he is proud to serve as a Public Affairs Officer at NASA, supporting the International Space Station Program, Commercial Crew Program, and NASA’s expanding efforts in low Earth orbit commercialization. Whether providing live commentary in front of a global audience on Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, NASA+ and formerly NASA TV, leading communications and public affairs campaigns, or designing immersive exhibits and expansive community outreach, Joseph thrives at the intersection of storytelling, innovation, and audience engagement, earning multiple Agency awards and recognitions.
Conference Lodging:
ISEA has a conference block of 20 rooms at the [HOTEL NAME] (ADDRESS). The room rate in the conference block is $___/night (plus tax). Rooms have mini-fridges, and coffee machines.
The room block will now be held until [DATE]!
The hotel features free wifi and a paid breakfast buffet. Check-In begins at 4:00pm and Check-Out is by 11AM. Parking at the hotel is $___/night.
Dallas has many other options for lodging available but allows for extended hours of connection and opportunities for carpooling! Staying at the conference hotel also ensures ISEA meets our minimum and do not have to pay additional fees to the hotel.
Locations and Transportation:
Transportation details for the 2027 conference are still being finalized however, it goes without saying - carpooling and carpool karaoke are always encouraged.
Wednesday’s evening event will be at On Rotation (7701 Lemmon Ave Suite 200 Dallas, TX 75209). Parking at On Rotation is free.
Thursday’s conference sessions, keynote speakers, lunch, dinner and Friday sessions will be at the Frontiers of Flight Museum (6911 Lemmon Ave. Dallas, TX 75209). Parking for the museum is free.
Meals:
Wednesday
Breakfast & Lunch: On your own!
Dinner: Will be located at On Rotation but food and drinks are not(?) provided.
Thursday
Breakfast: On your own. We will have a coffee and tea station throughout the conference. Bring your own mug!
Lunch: Provided and options coming soon!
Dinner: Provided and options coming soon!
Friday
Breakfast & Lunch: On your Own! We will have a coffee and tea station throughout the day. Bring your own mug!
Support Local!
Frontiers of Flight Museum has a small cafe, Jetsetters, which features a variety of breakfast and lunch items, as well as hot or iced coffees and blended refreshers.
Optional Conference Workshops:
You won't want to miss out on these fun and educational Pre & Post conference activities being offered! Details about each experience are listed below. To sign up, add any experiences you would like to your registration. Additional fees apply per workshop.
Pre-Conference Workshops- Wednesday, February 10, 2027
Coming Soon!
Additional Details Coming Soon!
$0
Coming Soon!
Additional Details Coming Soon!
$0
POST-Conference Workshops- Friday, February 12, 2027
Frontiers of Flight Museum
Continue the conference fun and explore the Frontiers of Flight Museum one final time before hitting the road on Friday, Feb. 12th from 1pm to 5pm. Experience the stories of aviation and space flight – from Leonardo da Vinci, to the Wright Brothers, to the spacecraft of the twenty-first century – all here for you in one museum.
$0 - Free
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Come visit the premiere science and nature museum in Dallas, Feb. 12th from 2pm to 5pm. Learn about the fossils from right here in our own backyard. Tour the Paleo Lab where preparators work on all types of fossil specimens and even get your hands on some. Explore Texas weather, Texas animals, the evolution of humans, and robots! A guided tour of the Life Then and Now hall is also included. There is a $5 parking fee that is not included in your registration. Learn more about the Perot Museum of Nature and Science today!
$25
UTSW Rookery Tour
Get up close and personal with egrets, herons, and maybe even an anhinga on Friday, Feb. 12th from 2pm to 4pm! A rookery right in the middle of downtown Dallas is yours to explore with a tour led by a self-proclaimed bird nerd. Binoculars will be provided for use during the workshop. Must be able to climb stairs if attending. The group will meet and park at 2000 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75235. Visitor Lot 7 has free parking.
$15
Silent Auction and Raffle
An online silent auction will be taking place during the conference, with its proceeds benefiting ISEA. To participate, scan the QR code located throughout the conference or download the PayBee app to get started. All proceeds from the Silent Auction benefit the ISEA Scholarship Fund.
Have something your would like to donate to this year’s silent auction? Please email our Silent Auction chair, Bria Marty at bria.marty.tx@gmail.com.
Interested in Joining the ISEA Board?
Are you interested in serving the informal science community, helping to run the annual conference, and making lasting connections? Consider joining the ISEA Board!
Curious but unsure about the time commitment? Find any board member at the conference to learn more!
STAY UP TO DATE ON MORE REGISTRATION AND CONFERENCE INFORMATION BY JOINING OUR MAILING LIST HERE
Want to represent ISEA and support our organization’s fundraiser? Purchase a shirt or hoodie!
Registration closes January 26, 2027.
For questions or concerns, please reach out to texasinformalscience@gmail.com.
Thank you to our 2027 Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Find out more here
