Owlchemy began at Rice University in the mid-1990s and quickly became a popular student organization. At its peak, the club had dozens of members.

Members of the original Owlchemy organization

Under the guidance of Professor Kenton Whitmire and with the support of the Rice University Department of Chemistry,  the club performed some of its first demos at T.H. Rogers Middle School. The shows were well-received, and the club began its tradition of bringing chemistry to the community.

One of Owlchemy’s first demos

Unfortunately, in the early 2000s, the club’s membership declined, and in 2003, Owlchemy disbanded. The club remained inactive until the Fall of 2009, when a small group of dedicated students restarted it with the help of Professor Kristi Kincaid. After its reinstatement as a student organization, Owlchemy once again began doing demos, this time at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and on the Rice University campus.

Today, Owlchemy continues its work to inspire interest in chemistry at Rice and in the Houston community. We are always looking for new members, as well as new community partners. If you are interested in becoming a member or hosting a demonstration, please contact us at riceowlchemy@gmail.com.

Be sure to check out our Photo Gallery for some images of our more recent events!