The tour will serve as the closing program for Indiana Humanities’ two-year thematic initiative called Quantum Leap which explores the spirit of possibility and problem solving that happens when we bridge the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields with the humanities (poetry, literature, history, philosophy, religion, world languages and culture, etc.).

Smith, whose book of poetry Life on Mars won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 2011, was in part inspired by her father’s work as an engineer for the Hubble Space Telescope and includes science fiction and cosmic themes. Smith will be joined by Indiana Poet Laureate Adrian Matejka. Matejka, who grew up in Indianapolis and now teaches at Indiana University, has also written about space themes in his critically acclaimed book of poetry Map to the Stars.

The INconversation will be held in the Clowes Auditorium at the Central Library. Doors open at 6 p.m. and a book signing will follow (a limited number of both Smith’s and Matejka’s books will be available for purchase).

This tour is in partnership with Brick Street Poetry and the Indianapolis Public Library.