The Mensa Foundation Explores How Science Meets Science Fiction

ARLINGTON, TEXAS, June 28th 2013 — The Mensa Education & Research Foundation will explore how science meets fiction at its 2013 Colloquium on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at the Worthington Renaissance in Fort Worth, Texas from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. There are limited tickets available and can be purchased at the door for $69.

The Foundation is inviting the public to explore how our boundless imagination is finding form within the boundaries of science. It is an exciting chance to interact with other bright minds on the current status of robotics, evolving military technology, and the new worlds being created by science fiction writers. 

The stellar panel for Colloquium 2013: Between Science Fiction and Science includes astrophysicist and author Dave Goldberg; award-winning science fiction authors Robert J. Sawyer, Todd Johnson McCaffrey, and David Brin; and robotics expert retired Army Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch.

Robotics expert, retired Army Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch – Military Applications of Robotics: How Far Should We Go?

Lynch is currently the Executive Director of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), which focuses on the pursuit of advanced technology to help humanity in the areas of robotics, biomedical research, advanced manufacturing, and energy/water/environment. 

Dr. Dave Goldberg – A Hands-on Guide for the Practical Time Traveler

Goldberg is a professor and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Physics at Drexel University. His love of pop culture and science creates a relatable view of physics.

Robert J. Sawyer – Science Fiction and Prediction

Sawyer is the only Canadian science fiction author to win the Hugo, Nebula, and John W. Campbell Memorial Award. He explores how science fiction writers extrapolate for the future.

Todd Johnson McCaffrey – The Evolution and Influence of Science Fiction

McCaffrey discusses how science fiction has influenced science. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Dragon’s Fire and has contributed to the Pern series both as a solo writer and in collaboration with his mother, renowned science fiction writer Anne McCaffery.

David Brin – Probing Tomorrow’s Undiscovered Possibilities

A scientist, inventor, and New York Times best selling author, Brin has won multiple Hugo and Nebula awards and is a frequent guest on programs featured on PBS, NPR, and the BBC.

The Mensa Education & Research Foundation Colloquium series are events designed to offer a forum for Mensa members to explore, evaluate, and discuss major issues that impact our society. For more information regarding the speakers at this year’s event, or to find out how you can support the Foundation, please visit mensafoundation.org/colloquium.

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The Mensa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on intelligence and giftedness in the community at large. It's mission supports two of the three stated purposes shared by all Mensa organizations, to identify and foster intelligence for the benefit of humanity and to encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence. The Mensa Foundation pursues these goals, in partnership with American Mensa and/or Mensa International where appropriate, with resources donated by Mensans and non-Mensans alike and aspire to use the intelligence of Mensans and non-Mensans to make the world a better place. For more information about the Mensa Foundation, visit mensafoundation.org or call (817) 607-5577.