A star cruiser emerges from faster-than-light travel and engages another massive warship with laser cannons as the captain stands Nelson-like on the bridge.

A teenager climbs off his hoverboard and scrambles into a hospital ward just in time to see his grandmother climb out of a cryonic chamber with the body and vitality of a 35-year-old.

These can all happen in the world of science fiction. But what is actually scientifically plausible?

On Wednesday and Thursday Ballarat finds out.

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation will host Fact or Fiction Ballarat at the 1870 Founders Theatre at Federation University's Mount Helen Campus.

There will be a session for primary school pupils at noon on Wednesday, followed by one for the general public at 7pm, and a session for secondary school students on Thursday at 10am.

Those who boldly go will get to vote on whether they think the "technology" from great science fiction shows is possible, and then hear the "facts" behind the science fiction explained by real scientists.

ANSTO Discovery Centre manager Rod Dowler (who moonlights as Doctor Who Tom Baker variety at the show) said Fact or Fiction was about painting science in an exciting light and revealing some of the amazing things now possible or plausible through modern science.

"It is both education and entertainment," Mr Dowler said.

"We are using popular culture, using science fiction films and their 'technology', and asking the question whether they are 'fact', 'fiction', 'more fiction than fact' or 'more fact than fiction'.

"We have a look at how the audience votes using a wireless keypad so we can measure how right the audience is. We then introduce an ANSTO scientist who usually has a relevant qualification to supply an answer."

There will be three scientists at Fact or Fiction Ballarat: astrophysicist Tracy Getts, planetary scientist Helen Maynard-Casely, and electrical engineer Geoff Pillans.

Ms Getts is an educator who has worked at Sidings Springs observatory. Dr Maynard-Casely is currently studying Saturn's largest moon Titan to replicate the conditions in the polar regions to prove whether some form of bacteria could exist there. Mr Pillans works at Australia's OPAL nuclear research reactor, which also produces 85 per cent of Australia's nuclear medicines.

Fact or Fiction Ballarat is free to attend. Bookings can be made at www.factorfictionballarat.eventbrite.com.au