Sci-Fi Fans Can Soak in ‘Science of Story’ at UCSD, See ‘Star Trek’ Stars, ‘Jaws’ Too

San Diego Comic-Con exerts a certain pull arouond town when July rolls around – a great thing for sci-fi fans and pop culture vultures alike.

UC San Diego is not immune. The university’s ArtPower program will launch “The Science of Story,” billed as a “Pre-Con Masterclass” which kicks off July 23 and includes an iconic film and franchise.

The series of events, in conjunction with the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Masterclass, opens with “A Tale of Two Sulus: An Evening with George Takei and John Cho,” who both played the character, Takei in the landmark Star Trek television series, and Cho in the most recent films.

A screening of one of those films, 2009’s Star Trek, follows on July 24, accompanied by the San Diego Symphony. And on July 26, as a part of Shark Week, there will be a screening of the Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.

The Takei/Cho event and the screenings take place at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. Tickets for Jaws are $10, with admission for the two other events ranging from $25 to $120.

But there’s a lot more going on at “The Science of Story,” which officials call a “unique celebration of storytelling, science fiction and fantasy.”

Packages start at $425 for the full experience, including VIP access to the aforementioned events, a chance to learn from faculty and alums from the Clarion Writers’ Workshop and speakers and forums at UCSD’s Park & Market in the East Village. Attendees may opt for housing at UC San Diego in the $1,200 package.

And hint, hint Comic-Con attendees. There’s an option with housing, meals, a trolley pass and limited access to UCSD events if you’re finding that July is fully booked in San Diego. At $640, it might be worth a look.

But there’s a catch: the option is only open to students enrolled in University of California, California State University or California community college campuses, along with any UC alumni.