Rice University’s Glasscock School celebrates 50 years with ‘A Festival of Curiosity

Free lectures, family activities, performances and more on Saturday, April 8

Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies invites Houstonians to celebrate 50 years of curiosity and commitment to education outreach with “A Festival of Curiosity” on Saturday, April 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Anderson-Clarke Center. This free, family-friendly celebration invites guests to peek into the Glasscock School’s personal and professional development programs that welcome 20,000 enrollments per year.

The Glasscock School offers dozens of enriching courses each semester including meditation, photography, project management, human resource education and more. “A Festival of Curiosity” will feature three free lectures with some of the school’s most celebrated faculty and community experts. These 30-minute talks are quick “snapshots” of the outstanding programs and innovative instructors committed to making a difference through lifelong learning.

The lectures include:

11:15 a.m.           Peter Brown and Ashlyn Davis

“The Evolution of Photography: Two Generations in Conversation”: Award-winning photographer and Glasscock educator Peter Brown and executive director of the Houston Center for Photography Ashlyn Davis will engage in a lively “conversation across generations.” They will explore how the art of photography has evolved over time, and what creative directions may be on the horizon in this field.

12:15 p.m.           Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Ph.D.

“Rice 360: Innovating and Educating for Global Health Impact”: It will be 150 years before a baby born in Africa has the same chance of survival as one born in North America. Dr. Rebecca Richards-Kortum, director of Rice 360: Institute for Global Health Technology and a recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Fellowship, will discuss an innovative project in Malawi with a goal of reducing this timeframe to 10 years. Her team seeks to prevent 85 percent of current neonatal deaths in that country and repeat these results around the world.

1:15 p.m.             Debra Dickinson 

“The Creative Magic of ‘Hamilton: An American Musical’: “Every action’s an act of creation,” proclaim the iconic lyrics from “Hamilton.” Debra Dickinson – teacher of opera studies at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, former Broadway actress and artist – explores the creative decisions that have made “Hamilton” such an acclaimed and beloved musical.

Lectures will be held in the Hudspeth Auditorium and are free to the public. Each 45-minute lecture session will include an opportunity for questions and answers. A public art campus tour with Evan Garza, director of Rice Public Art, will also be available at noon. Space is limited for lectures and art tour, and attendees must register by 10 a.m. on the day of the event.

Families will also enjoy hands-on activities, art and entertainment including:

·         Photo booth and collage wall

·         Sidewalk chalk art by Houston Via Colori artists

·         Local food trucks including Foreign Policy, Curbside Sliderz and Taco Me Crazy

·         Kid-friendly activities that include making owl masks and acting out “Owl Babies”

·         LEGO® community build of the Rice University shield

·         Performances by the Rice Marching Owl Band (the MOB) and DJ Mycle

Visit the Facebook event page for more information. Attendees are encouraged to share their experience with #staycurious. Parking is located at The Glasscock School on the west side of the Rice campus. Paid parking is available by credit card only in West Lot 1. Click here for a map.