Math, Science and Technology   

We will discuss the latest in baseball statistics: what they mean, how they are used and which ones we can safely disregard in evaluating players, both current and some long since retired. We will also look at data on baseball strategy, how it is used and what possibly questionable choices are still being made due to recent changes in how the game is played. Notes: This course is designed for serious baseball fans. There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes.

We will discuss the latest in baseball statistics: what they mean, how they are used and which ones we can safely disregard in evaluating players, both current and some long since retired. We will also look at data on baseball strategy, how it is used and what possibly questionable choices are still being made due to recent changes in how the game is played. Notes: This course is designed for serious baseball fans. There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes.

Beavers—exceptional engineers and North America's largest semiaquatic rodent—have long played a critical and controversial role in the continent’s history, settlement, popular culture, chemistry and ecology. We will learn about the role beavers have played in the history and ecology of water systems, the causes and results of their near-extinction, and their importance in combatting the effects of the climate crisis. We will also consider beavers’ cultural role including folklore, mythology, literature, cartoons and art, and discuss conservation, restoration and relocation efforts for beavers in Europe and North America.

Beavers—exceptional engineers and North America's largest semiaquatic rodent—have long played a critical and controversial role in the continent’s history, settlement, popular culture, chemistry and ecology. We will learn about the role beavers have played in the history and ecology of water systems, the causes and results of their near-extinction, and their importance in combatting the effects of the climate crisis. We will also consider beavers’ cultural role including folklore, mythology, literature, cartoons and art, and discuss conservation, restoration and relocation efforts for beavers in Europe and North America.

We will explore everyday technologies that shape modern life from phone apps and social media to streaming, smart-home devices and emerging AI tools. Through guided exploration and real-world examples, we will build confidence navigating digital platforms, staying connected with others and using technology to make daily life easier, safer and more enjoyable.

We will complete and understand physics experiments performed using materials from the kitchen and garage, including static electricity, home electricity, circular motion, optics and more. We will also revisit previous experiments with new, upgraded equipment. Prerequisites: None; the use of equations is rather infrequent. Note: Participants do not need to have taken part 1 of this course to enjoy part 2.

How did the internet become so central to daily life? We will trace the history of the information superhighway from early foundations through the web era, e-commerce and social networking to today’s digital platforms. Whether you are nostalgic for America Online or curious about what comes next, this non-technical course will inform and broaden our understanding of the online world. Note: Participants may choose to attend each week either in-person or online.

Our natural world: Does it move you? Amaze you? Inspire you? We will tour Antarctica, Nepal, Africa, Australia, Alaska, Baja, Costa Rica and Panama, and the Galapagos, Virgin, Pribilof and Hawaiian Islands. Through photographs, anecdotes, basic biological science and discussions of what inspires us, our aim will be to find awe and hope in nature. Note: There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes.

Our natural world: Does it move you? Amaze you? Inspire you? We will tour Antarctica, Nepal, Africa, Australia, Alaska, Baja, Costa Rica and Panama, and the Galapagos, Virgin, Pribilof and Hawaiian Islands. Through photographs, anecdotes, basic biological science and discussions of what inspires us, our aim will be to find awe and hope in nature. Note: There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes.

Earth has seen major changes in its physical geography, chemistry of oceans and atmosphere, life forms and climate. We will learn how the rock record reveals and displays that history, look at a series of global maps depicting changes in physical geography and continental positions, and discuss topics such as the origin of life, biological evolution, ice ages and catastrophic mass extinctions. Note: Participants may choose to attend each week either in-person or online.

Both Western and alternative medicine have turned their attention to the role breathing plays in health. We will explore the physical, biochemical and spiritual dimensions of breath based on current research outcomes for self-regulation. We will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of breathing techniques to help regulate stress and improve health, mental clarity and sleep. Note: Participants should wear unrestrictive clothing and may choose to do some exercises while lying on the floor. Recommended textbook: Consciously Exhale: The Power of Breath by Lillah Schwartz (2026), ISBN: 978-0964383535. Materials: Yoga mat, small blanket and book to use as a light weight.

Grid operation is challenging: most renewable energy fluctuates in availability; grid operators must keep it balanced; and every minute, the supply of electricity must equal demand. We will consider how problems with storage and transmission are handled for renewable energy, since climate change depends on solving them.