Who we are

Hot Science – Cool Talks is presented by the Environmental Science Institute (ESI). Hot Science – Cool Talks is an innovative outreach series providing a means for leading scientists and engineers to communicate their research to the public and the local K-12 educational community. Started in 1999, Hot Science - Cool Talks offers six free events per year focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

What We Offer

Offering much more than just a lecture, Hot Science – Cool Talks includes engaging science-fair activities for every age group. Before each talk exhibitors and groups from the university and throughout central Texas put on an interactive science fair offering hands-on activities and demonstrations for both students and adults. Our fairs are immersive educational experiences the whole family can enjoy. While focused on current research by top scientists the main lecture presentations are both entertaining and informative. We work with presenters to ensure their material is presented in a format easily comprehended by  everyone, from students to members of the general public.

In 2014 ESI launched the !Ciencias¡ program, a Spanish language component of Hot Science – Cool Talks, designed to encourage Hispanic K-12 students to pursue science. A central mission of ¡Ciencias! is to provide bilingual STEM activities at Hot Science - Cool Talk events for the underrepresented, Spanish-speaking community of central Texas and to make these students feel welcome within an academic, university atmosphere.

Join us

Your support will help ensure that Hot Science – Cool Talks continues to grow. Specifically your donation will help fund a translation system so that we can offer live Spanish translation during our talks. This will enable us to better serve our growing number of Hispanic patrons in central Texas. Your donations will also help fund a new video streaming system so we can make our lectures freely available to educators and students of all ages everywhere! We invite you to help us in our mission to provide engaging science experiences to the community.