Mar 30
The Dairy Arts Center Boulder, CO
TicketsHeather Lewandowski
Professor of Physics, University of Colorado-Boulder; Fellow of JILA, University of Colorado-Boulder
Arrival— From Arrival to Atoms—Thinking Quantum
Program Description
From the sci-fi world of Arrival to the quantum behavior of atoms, this interactive discussion with Dr. Heather Lewandowski explores how ideas about information, uncertainty, and measurement shape our understanding of the physical universe.
Film Synopsis
After twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world, a linguist recruited by the military races to decipher the aliens' language and intentions before fear leads to war.
When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team—lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams)—are brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers—and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.
Director Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) cemented his auteur status with this superb and cerebral sci-fi masterpiece, featuring a stellar lead performance by Adams.
Banner image courtesy of PHOTOFEST
About the Speaker
Heather Lewandowski is a professor of physics and Fellow of JILA at the University of Colorado Boulder. She leads two research programs, one in experimental molecular physics and the other in physics education research. Her molecular physics research efforts focus on studying interactions and reactions of cold, chemically important molecules and ions. Her physics education research program studies ways to increase students’ proficiency in experimental scientific practices, as well as research in quantum science education and workforce development. She earned her B.S. in physics from Michigan Technological University and her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder. She later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).