Science & Math   

This class is for students who have taken the "Birding in the Chico Area: All Levels" class more than once. We will not cover birding basics and will spend more time in the field. We will meet once a month at different locations for field trips that may involve 2-3 miles of walking.

This class is for both beginning and experienced birders. Through observation and the use of binoculars, field guides, and birding apps, class participants learn to identify birds in their natural habitat. We will meet once a month at different birding locations for field trips that may involve 1-2 miles of walking.

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. With over 850 faculty members and 13,000 students, the University's teaching and learning community is thriving. Discover the imagination, cutting-edge research, and expertise that flourishes in our own backyard!

This is a moderate out and back hike totaling 4 miles along picturesque Deer Creek. The trail meanders under a forest canopy, which we will admire in its seasonal beauty. Features to enjoy along our journey include stream crossings, some short steep rocky ascents and descents, waterfalls, and basalt cliffs towering above us on the walls of the canyon. We will hike at a leisurely pace, enjoying the flora and fauna along the way.

We will explore the subject of human enhancement and consider the social implications of the alterations humans are capable of making to themselves and others. Whether a tattoo, the consumption of a drug designed to boost performance, or the surgical alteration of the body, we have a rapidly advancing ability to alter our biology and, in so doing, to challenge cultural norms and potentially threaten long-established social structures. Is this hubris? Do alterations offer the promise of enhancement or threaten peril? Join the discussion!

We will continue to explore the new developments in the fields of medicine and biotechnology and how they will impact the future of our health and well-being. Topics covered will include cancer, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and much more.

California's temperate climate allows an amazing array of plants to be grown locally. Edible gardens, pollinator gardens, native gardens, contemplative gardens, and demonstration gardens are some of the many varieties to tour. Inspired by the successful model of the "Arts & Eats" OLLI class, "Garden Gourmands" will focus on touring the art of garden landscapes combined with eating locally. Join Master Gardeners as we explore different area gardens followed by a no-host lunch at various local eateries to enjoy the bounty of Butte County.

Join us for history and a hike. We will be treated to viewing the Jonesville Hotel with a local historian and resident. We will then hike in the meadows near the creek in Jonesville for about 5 miles at roughly 5500' elevation. Be prepared for uneven ground.

The class will examine common flaws in logic which lead to questionable conclusions: opposites and falsehoods, blame and responsibility, paradoxes, fallacies, emotions, etc. The goal is to become aware of one's own blind spots that are obstacles in the search for truth.

California Master Gardeners provide educational outreach from University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) offices throughout the state. The mission of the Butte County Master Gardeners is to extend research-based education and technical assistance throughout the non-commercial gardening community and to foster successful gardening practices by helping individuals make informed decisions about plants, pests, and the environment, with an emphasis on sustainability. Join us as we address a wide range of fascinating subjects.

Chico is known for its rich biodiversity and parks. Get to know Chico's non-human residents with highlights from four years of weekly wanderings and the research they inspired. Courtship displays, playful otters happily munching, a drinking fountain hawk bath, wildflower blooms, a rare mutant carpenter bee, and more surprises are captured on this photographic journey through parks and surrounding neighborhoods in the heart of Chico.

Observe the Chinook salmon, or king salmon, spawning season up close as we kayak beside them in the Feather River. We'll start with a brief safety and how to paddle lesson. Then we'll travel downriver to view the spawning salmon. You'll learn about the lifecycle of the salmon and the Feather River, and have a chance to see Oroville in a whole new way.

Observe the Chinook salmon, or king salmon, spawning season up close as we kayak beside them in the Feather River. We'll start with a brief safety and how to paddle lesson. Then we'll travel downriver to view the spawning salmon. You'll learn about the lifecycle of the salmon and the Feather River, and have a chance to see Oroville in a whole new way.