Science, Math, & Natural History   

Mathematics is often taught with the focus on skills and techniques without much discussion of the “big ideas” of math, which are often strange and wonderful. This course will consist of six sessions with separate topics, activities, and discussions for each session. There is no required math knowledge, the only requirement is an interest in ideas. Students will need access to the internet for readings and videos as class preparation or “homework.”

New in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, film, and hands-on learning.

• Session 1: Numbers
• Session 2: Geometry
• Session 3: Algebra
• Session 4: Calculus
• Session 5: Fractals
• Session 6: Probability and Statistics

In science, the term sex refers to the features infants display at birth. Gender more properly relates to impulses any person reveals across a spectrum from feminine to masculine. The evidence for physiological and behavioral differences between sexes is overwhelming. Our sexpartner preferences do not reveal our affinities across the range of related behaviors. There are masculine, feminine, or androgynous-leaning: straight, gay, lesbian, trans, or bisexual people. Newer research confirms that crucial differences in gender roles affect our families, culture, and planet. This course provides a straightforward review of the latest biological and neuropsychological research on gender roles.

 New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

Curious about honey bees and beekeeping, but not ready to start a hive yourself? This engaging seminar offers an inside look at the fascinating world of honey bees through the eyes of a Master Beekeeper. Learn how a hive works, how bees communicate and produce honey, and why they are essential to our environment and food supply. You’ll discover what beekeepers actually do, see how colonies change through the seasons, and gain a deeper appreciation for these remarkable insects. No prior knowledge required—just curiosity about the hidden life inside the hive. Includes a field trip to a local beekeeper’s apiary TBA.

 New in-person workshop. Format includes lecture and hands-on learning.

In this course, we will explore a wide range of horticultural practices with something to offer no matter our experience level or where we live. We will cover container gardening, aquatic gardens, ornamental and fruiting plants, bonsai, landscape design, and pest management. Each week, we will focus on a theme and examine design ideas, plant choices, and long-term care practices for success. Whether we garden on 10 acres or in an apartment, we will find plenty to learn and enjoy in horticulture. 

The music we stream, the photos we swipe through, the real time news we consume, the books we read or listen to – all have been radically reshaped by digital technology. This course will explore how media is created, stored, and experienced in a digitized world. We will unpack fundamentals like text files, encoding and decoding, pixels, and algorithms in clear, easy-to-understand ways – no prior computer knowledge needed. Each session will focus on a different medium, comparing its analog origins with its contemporary digital version. We will also consider the impact of Generative AI and speculate on future trends. Topics will include text (books, e-books, news portals), images (photography and movies), music, video games, social media, and media ownership (physical media, streaming, and copyrights).