Science & Math   

Optics is a branch of physics that studies light: how it behaves, how it moves, and how it interacts with matter. We will explore its more than 3,000-year-old history – first studied by Indian scholars, followed by the Greeks, the Islamic Golden Age, the European Renaissance, and to the present. Optics' effects are visible in our everyday life, from space telescopes to eye surgery to fiber optics and lasers. We will also touch on the powerful influence that optics has on fine arts via the interplay of light and objects.

This class will provide an overview of the history and methods used to search for extraterrestrial intelligence in the Milky Way galaxy. We will explore how and where we are searching, and what we have found. The Drake equation, the Rare Earth hypothesis, and the Fermi Paradox are among the topics discussed.

The natural world can be a very dangerous place, especially living in an evolving planet 66 to 220 million years ago. Over a period of nearly 160 million years, dinosaurs evolved from relatively small omnivores to fast carnivores with bigger, sharper teeth and claws and tremendous bite strength and to herbivores with defenses of more and bigger horns and spikes, thicker armor, and incredible size. Other survivor adaptations including behavior, camouflage coloration and intelligence are inferred from recent scientific discoveries. Other creatures which evolved and competed with the dinosaurs grew to incredible sizes and ornate skeletal features which are still topics of much discussion. This class will examine many of these evolutionary changes that may or may not have been beneficial.

This class is for both beginning and experienced birders. Through observation and the use of your 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.

This class is for students who have taken the "Birding in the Chico Area" 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.

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. With over 800 faculty members and 14,000 students, the University's teaching and learning community is thriving. Discover the imagination, cutting-edge research, and expertise that flourishes in our own backyard!

The University Farm is a "living laboratory" for agricultural education, literacy, and research in Northern California. Join us for a guided tour showcasing our fields, labs, and hands-on learning spaces, including the new Agricultural Education Center and Jay Gilbert Farm Store. This state-of-the-art facility features modern classrooms, collaboration areas, and a student-run retail space with farm-produced goods. Explore how the farm supports experiential learning, community engagement, and the next generation of leaders in sustainable agriculture.

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.

A half-hour walk immersed in nature prepares us to sit with our sketchbook journals and observe, question, draw, paint, and write about what we see, hear, and feel – focusing on our senses, curiosity, and the observation process over perfecting an end product. We'll explore Upper and Lower Bidwell Park, Indian Fishery, and the Genetic Resource & Conservation Center (Chico Tree Farm). Participants provide their own art materials and choose their subjects. There is no official art instruction. Some basic techniques and many online supplemental materials are provided.

The Doon Grade Trail is part of the old railroad bed that went from Chico, through Magalia, and all the way to Stirling City. We will be on the middle part east of Magalia. Get an introduction to California native plants and basic botany in the field as we saunter in search of California native wildflowers.

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.

Join us for this beginner's guide to navigating the heavens. We will consider an eclectic mix of mythology, historic viewpoints, and current events in meteorology, astronomy, and cosmology. Eyes to the sky!

Our eyes exhibit age-related changes in performance as we get older, particularly as we reach our 60s. Some of these changes are perfectly normal and don't signify any sort of disease process. And though cataracts can be considered an age-related disease, they are common in older adults and can be readily corrected with surgery. Benjamin Gilbert and other doctors from OLLI sponsor Chico Eye Center explore these common changes, as well as more serious age-related eye diseases. Understanding more about our aging eyes and what we can do as we notice changes can help improve our eye health and overall quality of life.

In this class we will look at what research in neuroscience is teaching us about how the brain and mind work. We will also learn about using that knowledge to provide better care for patients. The role of AI, brain imaging, immunology, and genetics will be included. Selected topics on health, medicine and biotechnology may also be discussed.

We'll hike a moderate 4.5 miles with 450 feet of elevation gain along Colby Creek, on forest trails, and through meadows filled with wildflowers. The trailhead is at 4,750 feet, high enough to escape the valley heat. Our pace will be leisurely, with time to take photographs, observe and identify wildflowers and birds, enjoy the views, and make new friends. Team up with other women to enjoy a fun day outdoors!

Join experts from River Partners for walking tours of the landscapes they've transformed from flood-prone farmland into native habitat for ecosystem, community, and economic wins at the Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park and Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge. You'll learn how restoring California's historic floodplains improves habitat and biodiversity for an array of imperiled species, boosts flood safety for vulnerable communities, supports clean and abundant water supplies, provides important outdoor recreation that improves public health, stores greenhouse gases naturally to improve California's climate resilience, and more.