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The free event, 4 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 25) in , is part of , where films are paired with experts to discuss the science and technology depicted in them. 

Kyle Crabtree, an assistant professor in chemistry, works in the field of astrochemistry, studying the chemistry that takes place in space and in exoplanetary atmospheres. He places chemicals under space-like conditions in a vacuum chamber, and uses laser and microwave techniques to observe their behavior in these extreme environments. He also contends that Star Wars'  lightsabers and blasters "aren't lasers."

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Our slammin’ research, in 3 minutes or less!

�������ϲ����Ͽ� Davis is about to hit a … that’s right, a “Grad” Slam, the annual competition in which master’s and Ph.D. students explain their research in three minutes or less! The �������ϲ����Ͽ� Davis qualifying round is set for next Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the (Ballroom B and Meeting Room 1).

Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend, free of charge. Drop in any time during the day, stay as long as you can!

sponsors the competition, and received more than 80 entries, more than double last year’s field. The students are tasked with explaining their research to a general audience — and maintaining their interest. Subjects range from the hard sciences to the humanities.

Faculty and staff volunteers will serve as judges. They’ll pick 10 presenters to advance to the final round at �������ϲ����Ͽ� Davis, scheduled from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 14, at the .

The finalists will vie for prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third — and the first-place winner will advance to the , where the top prize is $5,000.