Science & Math   

We will spend more time trying to sight interesting birds in varying habitats with advanced identification tips. We will meet once a month at different locations for field trips that may involve 2-3 miles of walking. Prerequisite: participants must have taken "Birding In the Chico Area" more than once.

This class is for both beginning and experienced birders. Through observation and the use of binoculars and field guides, 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 900 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!

You may have heard of CRISPR (a gene-editing technique) being used to treat inherited genetic disorders and to make designer babies. But did you know it's also used to improve both the sustainability of food production and the nutritional value of our fruits and vegetables? The first products have been approved for sale in the US this year. Will you eagerly adopt or shun these modified foods? Through lectures, videos, and discussion, learn about CRISPR technology and alternative ways being used to change our food.

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 two 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.

Let's face it! We are all going to "go" one of these days, and green burial is the greenest way. Learn about the science and practice of green burial, as well as other alternative disposition methods, like water cremation and human composting. We will discuss the green burial movement and its connection with land conservation and restoration. We will also hear from conservation practitioners in this field.

It's so easy to live in a world of negativity, survival, and habit. It really does take practice to make it different, but we can do that – at any age! So let's see how and what it takes to make our lives better, happier, and more enjoyable. This class shows you both the joy of doing so and the underlying science that can make it happen.

Join us for flora, fauna, and history. 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 3 miles at roughly 5500' elevation. Be prepared for uneven ground.

This is a moderate 3-4 mile out and back hike along picturesque Deer Creek. The trail meanders under a forest canopy, which should be at peak foliage color this time of year. Features to enjoy along our journey include stream crossings, waterfalls, and steep 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.

In June 2020 we offered "Lessons from the Black Death" to examine how medieval societies responded to the plague and how the modern world was reacting to the pandemic, then only a few months old. Three years on, we're revisiting our assessments and noticing how, so far, modern America is recounting its history of the pandemic.

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.

Dogs were the first domesticated animals and have been our companions for thousands of years. This class will consider how dogs evolved from wolves; the various roles of dogs in human society; basics of dog biology, sensory systems, and behavior; dog-human interactions; village dogs; how dogs experience the world; and how we can become better partners with our canine companions.

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.

In 2004 Neil Shubin helped discover the previously missing but now-found link between fish (animals living in water) and amphibians (animals living on land). Now known as Tiktaalik, the "fish with hands," it lived approximately 375 million years ago. Using our inner fish as a case study, our true goal is to better understand how scientists establish scientific claims. In this learning through conversation seminar, participants must read one short chapter of the book before each class.

By looking at "great" buildings throughout history, we will learn about the principles of architecture; the importance of materials, technology, and patronage in the construction of a building; and how to look at architecture in general. Each week we will examine two or three important buildings and the role innovation plays in architecture.

This class is designed for anyone interested in the intersection of art, science, and medicine. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the human eye, including its anatomy, physiology, and the most common ophthalmic diseases and treatments. We will also explore the fascinating field of neuroasthetics, which focuses on the study of how the brain perceives and processes beauty, art, and aesthetics.

This class begins by explaining the mysteries of the brain. We'll address how you can navigate our complicated and fragmented healthcare system. Besides simplifying common neurological conditions, such as headache, dizziness, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and memory loss, we will examine testing and imaging of the nervous system. This class will also delve into prevention of illness, focusing on healthy lifestyles, and intimately address end-of-life issues.

In this course we will look at the future of wellness and health with emphasis on prevention and monitoring for early detection of disorders. Topics covered will include precision medicine, genomics, impact of Artificial Intelligence on health care, organoids, stem cells, transplants, drug development, bionics, biotechnology, and much more.

The planet we live on is facing many crises. To understand them better, we need to look at the basic principles of ecology, the study of our home, the Earth. In this course we will discuss the theories that ecology is based on and apply this knowledge to the problems our living environment faces in the 21st century.

In very dry geological terms, volcanoes are vents where lava and steam reach the surface of the Earth. While accurate, that description doesn't begin to do them justice. They have the potential to create significant hazards to communities close to them (as is the case near the Cascades), and the biggest have the potential to impact global climate. The figures can be staggering. For example, the loudest naturally occurring sound was the explosion at the volcano Krakatoa in 1883. The sound was reportedly heard 3,000 miles away. That eruption also generated a tsunami reaching over 40 meters high. To put that in perspective, had tall buildings been in the area, the wave would have reached roughly the tenth floor. In 1815, Mount Tambora erupted, ejecting approximately 200 cubic kilometers of material into the atmosphere. More recently, when the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted in 2022, a huge plume of water vapor was launched into Earth's atmosphere. It was so much water that it would have filled over 55,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Join me for this four-week study group in which we will explore the geology and geophysics of volcanoes and their eruptions. This will include a focus on notable eruptions from history as well as present day hazards.

Are you finding yourself more forgetful as you age? In this seminar class, we will discuss the normal and abnormal changes of the brain as we age. You'll learn what is common and what isn't part of the normal decline of memory as we get older. We will also discuss activities and nutrition ideas that will help keep our brains in optimum health.