Oct. 3, 17, & 31. A popular series of talks aimed at general audiences by U-M and visiting scholars.

Oct. 3: “Do People Really Believe That? The Science of Survey Research.” U-M communication professor Yanna Krupnikov discusses how seemingly small survey design decisions can have big consequences when measuring public opinion.

Oct. 17: “Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and Einstein’s Cosmological Constant.” Kansas State University physics professor Bharat Ratra discusses the astronomical data that persuades cosmologists that dark matter and the as-yet-undetected dark energy are by far the main components of the universe.

Oct. 31: “Spooky, Spectacular Halloween Demo Show.” Family-friendly Halloween-themed physics demonstrations by U-M physics faculty.

10:30 a.m., 170 Weiser Hall, 500 Church St. Also via livestream; see bit.ly/saturdayphysics. Free. (734) 764–4437.