Texas Educational Seismic Project

08/24/2026

Who LOVES science???!!!

Science is coming to communities across Houston this September! All Science Week Events are FREE and open to the community.

In collaboration with local partner organizations, Bridges to Science presents the Houston Science Festival – Science Week (September 12–19, 2026) featuring 75 free STEM events for students, families, and educators. Throughout the week, universities, libraries, and community centers will host hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and workshops across the city.

Signature Events:
Rice University Science Open House | September 12 (10am-2pm)
Explore hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and live demonstrations at Rice University while meeting faculty, researchers, and students and discovering pathways in STEM.

🌊 STEAM by the Sea Fest at Moody Gardens | September 12 (10am-3pm)
Experience science and creativity through interactive STEAM activities for all ages at Moody Gardens.

📚 City-Wide STEAM Workshops at HCPL branches | September 14–19
Participate in free STEM workshops and activities at Harris County Public Library (HCPL) locations across the Houston area. Check our full schedule to find workshops at your local HCPL branch.

💡 Create Your Future at WHi by HCC | September 19 (10am-2pm)
Explore robotics, engineering, design, 3D printing, electronics, and more through hands-on experiences for teens and families at the West Houston Institute (WHi) by Houston City College (HCC).

🔭 Astronomy Day Houston at Humble ISD Insperity Observatory | September 19 (3pm-10pm)
Celebrate the finale of Science Week at the Insperity Observatory with astronomers, featuring Texas A & M faculty and students, hands-on science, and fun activities for families to explore the wonders of the universe. Free registration at www.astronomyday.net. 🎁

Special Perks for Educators: The first 50 teachers to arrive will receive a Teacher Appreciation Bag with puzzles and classroom activities for K-6 students. Plus, all attending educators will receive a ticket to enter our fun random prize drawings! Stay tuned and follow our social media and . More details coming soon!

07/30/2026

CALL OUT to STEM Educators... see this request to Houston-area teachers and science enthusiasts ⬇️

"At Bridges to Science, we believe the strongest STEM programs are built with the community, for the community.

As we prepare for Houston Science Festival – Science Week (September 12–19, 2026), we're inviting Houston-area K–12 educators to join our Teacher Focus Group and help shape the future of this city-wide celebration of STEM.

During a single 60-minute virtual discussion, you'll have the opportunity to share your perspectives and ideas on how we can better engage students, families, and schools, strengthen community partnerships, and expand access to meaningful STEM experiences across Greater Houston.

Your feedback will directly help shape our Science Week programs, outreach efforts, and community collaborations.

As a thank-you for your time and insights, participants will receive a $20 Amazon gift card.

We're looking for educators who:

Teach STEM or integrate STEM into their K–12 classrooms.
Work with students in the Greater Houston area.
Are passionate about inspiring curiosity and expanding access to STEM education.
Enjoy collaborating and sharing ideas that strengthen opportunities for students and families.
If you're interested in participating, please complete the interest form below:

https://tinyurl.com/HSFteacher"

Or, contact Daniela Chacon
Program and Operations Leader
www.bridgestoscience.org
www.houstonsciencefestival.org

Omella: Payments, forms and signatures, all in one place

07/08/2026

We ❤️ this activity.... it can teach us about earthquakes magnitudes, logarithmic scales (yay, math!), physics and engineering concepts

So easy and inexpensive... head to WalMart and buy the generic brand of spaghetti. Enjoy!

Learn about the earthquake magnitude scale and changes in the amount of energy released at each step by breaking different size bundles of uncooked spaghetti noodles! Students can both see and feel the differences in the energy released from a M4 - M8 quake.   

07/08/2026

Oceans cover over 70% of the earth’s surface. Do you ever wonder what lies beneath? Seafloor geophysics encompasses a range of instruments and survey methods used to study and map not only the bottom of the ocean, but also what lies in the spaces between the seafloor and surface.

Read more about seafloor geophysics here: https://loom.ly/YVnPk-Q

06/23/2026

Preach, Alan 😉

"It"..... happens.

US soccer fans celebrated with enough force to trigger seismic sensors.

During the United States’ World Cup win over Australia in Seattle, Alex Freeman scored what became the go-ahead goal. At first, the header was flagged. Then, after a VAR review, the goal was awarded.

That was the moment the stadium shook.

As tens of thousands of fans jumped, yelled, and celebrated at once, seismic sensors installed at Seattle Stadium detected a sudden spike in activity.

The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network had placed seven sensors around the stadium to record the “structural shaking” created when large crowds move together. When the goal was confirmed, the instruments captured the burst of motion as supporters erupted in unison.

This doesn’t mean fans caused an earthquake.

Seismic sensors are designed to detect vibrations moving through the ground or structures. While they’re best known for monitoring earthquakes, they can also pick up human-made shaking from concerts, explosions, heavy machinery, and massive crowds.

Seattle has seen this kind of thing before.

The city is famous for the “Beast Quake” in 2011, when Seahawks fans celebrated Marshawn Lynch’s playoff touchdown so intensely that nearby seismometers recorded the vibrations.

The same basic physics applies here.

When thousands of people jump at the same time, their combined force can send measurable vibrations through a stadium and into the ground. Each person adds only a tiny amount of energy, but together, the crowd becomes a synchronized source of motion.

That is what makes the data so fascinating.

📸 Credit: PNSN

06/18/2026

What we have already observed over the last two months has been made official: THE BOY is here, and here to stay through the rest of 2026.

What will likely become one of the strongest El Nino events in recorded history is underway. Above-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific will have global impacts on rainfall, droughts, and heat waves. They are now officially warm enough for El Nino to be declared.

For Texas, big impacts are possible down the road:

🔹The extra rain we've seen this spring will help keep temperatures more manageable this summer, but El Nino otherwise does not have much direct influence on our weather in the summer.

🔹Warmer water in the Pacific = more moisture in the atmosphere = more moisture moving into the southern U.S. along the Pacific jet stream. That is most prevalent in fall/winter/spring seasons and when we are most likely to see above-average rainfall.

🔹Some of our biggest floods in Central Texas have occurred in El Nino years, most recently/notably in 2015 (spring and fall) and fall of 2018. The strength of El Nino doesn't directly correspond to bigger floods, but a strong El Nino increases the odds of above-average rain occurring.

Long story short, buckle up for what could be a rowdy end to 2026 here in Texas thanks to The Boy.