What if I told you that Star Trek helped invent the cell phone, or that 1984 predicted our surveillance culture? Science fiction isn’t just about wild ideas—it shapes the way we think about the future, and sometimes, it even creates it. In this class, we’ll explore how sci-fi has influenced real-world science, from AI and space travel to climate change and bioengineering. We’ll dive into utopian dreams, dystopian nightmares, and apocalyptic warnings to see how they reflect (and sometimes steer) history. Along the way, we’ll debate whether sci-fi is just good storytelling or a self-fulfilling prophecy. Expect thought-provoking discussions, fun creative exercises, and a deep dive into the power of storytelling to shape what comes next.