From Giant to The China Syndrome, to Syriana, popular movies have been instrumental in shaping not only our ideas about energy (gas, oil, nuclear power), but in how those resources are legislated.

That is the thesis of "Energy at the Movies," an honors course taught by Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Michael Webber at the University of Texas at Austin. The multi-media course, is a big hit with his students. But you don't have to be a UT student to see Dr. Webber's presentation later this month. In fact, you don't even have to be in Austin.

“Energy at the Movies” will be presented online through a live feed from the original Austin City Limits Studio on March 9. The presentation is part of a larger, ongoing effort to bring UT Austin to the world, and perhaps serve as a pilot for an ongoing series on the work of creative thinkers at UT.

At post date, there were still seats available to attend “Energy at the Movies” in person. For tickets and more information click here or go to: http://energyatthemovies.com

The entire “Energy at the Movies” program is as follows:

5:00-6:00 pm, Opening reception
6:00-7:30 pm, Dr. Webber’s multi-media “Energy at the Movies” presentation
7:30-8:00 pm, Intermission
8:00-9:30 pm, Moderated panel discussion

Participating panelists include:
Sheril Kirshenbaum (co-author of Unscientific America)
Turk Pipkin (producer of The Nobelity Project & One Peace at a Time)
Matthew Chapman (great-great grandson of Charles Darwin, screenwriter and director for Runaway Jury)
Charles Ramirez Berg (film historian and distinguished UT professor)

To participate online, follow and friend at:

http://www.twitter.com/energymovies
http://www.facebook.com/energymovies