ASX Annual Symposium: Fiction to Fact: Step into Sci-Fi
Where is the line drawn between 20th century science fiction and 21st century science fact? Back for its 16th rendition, the ASX Annual Symposium is planning on answering that question by featuring three masters of both fact and fiction. On February 28th, join Dr. Catherine Asaro, Dr. John G. Cramer, and Dr. Geoffrey A. Landis — scientists and science fictions writers all — on a fantastical odyssey through wormholes and to the very frontiers of extraplanetary colonisation.
Admission is free for all students — of any institution — with Photo ID (still be sure to reserve a seat on the linked Eventbrite page), and $10 otherwise. Refreshments shall be provided. Tickets are on sale online and will be available at the door.
Event Schedule
6:30 - Doors open + meet and greet
7:10 - First speaker (Dr. Catherine Asaro)
8:00 - Short intermission
8:05 - Second speaker (Dr. John G. Cramer)
8:55 - Short intermission
9:00 - Third speaker (Dr. Geoffrey A. Landis)
9:50 - Closing remarks + raffle draw
About the Speakers
Dr. Catherine Asaro earned her PhD in chemical physics from Harvard University and has dedicated her career to promoting STEM literacy among young scientists and the general public. An incredibly prolific science fiction writer, Dr. Asaro has penned twenty-five novels — including the epic series “Saga of the Skolian Empire” — and numerous short stories. She has twice won the esteemed Nebula Award for Best Novel.
Dr. John G. Cramer is a Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Washington. Renowned academically for his transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics, Prof. Cramer is additionally passionate about popular science and science fiction. He has appeared on both NPR’s Science Friday and the Science Channel and is the author of two novels of hard science fiction: “Twister” and “Einstein’s Bridge.”
Dr. Geoffrey A. Landis is a scientist at NASA’s John Glenn Research Center. Dr. Landis has pushed the cutting edge of space exploration, working on missions like Mars Pathfinder and studying interstellar sails as a fellow of NASA’s Institute for Advanced Concepts. As a science fiction writer, he has won both a Nebula and a Hugo Award for his short stories “Ripples in the Dirac Sea” and “A Walk in the Sun” respectively.
Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: General Public: $10; Students: FREE from ANY university, college or school with a valid ID (make sure you still reserve a ticket online)
Tickets: Eventbrite
Organized by: Astronomy & Space Exploration Society
Location: JJR Macleod Auditorium, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto
http://asx.sa.utoronto.ca/2020/02/05/16th-asx-symposium-fiction-to-fact-step-into-sci-fi/
https://www.facebook.com/events/187830452275728/