Science & Math   

This study group is designed to be a journey through what neuroscientists have learned so far as to the how of human brain function, i.e., how neural pathways guide us to be functional living beings and how such pathways develop. The study group is based on the book Brainscapes by Rebecca Schwarzlose. Schwarzlose uses the term "brainscapes" to describe the various maps in the brain (made of neurons), how they develop, and how they allow us to respond to our environment and to "remember, imagine, learn, and think the way we do. " We will work our way through the book with recommended reading assignments and use our meeting times to try to embellish upon and/or add to the themes of each reading, to hear your comments, and do our best to respond to your questions. Extensive science background is not necessary. Any expertise you wish to contribute will be a welcome addition.

The continent we call home, North America, has a complex heritage of physical landscapes and human cultures. In this class, we will examine the geology of this continent, and then we'll relate it to human geography. We will look at the different regions of the United States and Canada and try to explain the challenges of holding them together as just two nations.

This class will help you understand what math is and not how to do math. It presents the development of math from an historical perspective, from the Enlightenment to the present. No tests or homework!

Our exploration of the Earth, Solar System, and Universe continues. As always, we will discuss ongoing discoveries in astronomy, planetary sciences, and Earth sciences. Information will be conveyed using short videos, awesome photos, understandable/fun graphics, and class discussions. We will have several guest speakers from the University of Arizona's Astronomy, Planetary Sciences, and Geosciences Departments. Science Fiction Theatre continues, with short clips highlighting a century of sci fi movies and TV shows. And of course, there will be Geo-feature of the Week, What’s for Launch?, and Books of the Week. Please join us for this continuing journey of discovery and adventure. Being in an earlier Astronomy/Geosciences class is neither a prerequisite nor necessary to understand and enjoy this class.

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.

Join this four-week session where we will delve into the fascinating world of earthquakes. We'll take a journey through the seismic history of our planet, from ancient tremors to modern-day earthquakes, including the legendary San Francisco quake of 1906. Another notable example we will look at is much older. Scientists recently reported on an ancient earthquake that occurred roughly 4,000 years ago in northern Chile that may be the biggest earthquake in human history. It is thought that it resulted in the human population abandoning the coastline for a thousand years. We'll also uncover the basic mechanics of earthquakes, exploring their causes, effects, and the science behind them. Lastly, we'll look at the techniques scientists use to try to forecast these natural phenomena, as we explore the question of whether earthquake prediction is possible.

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!

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.

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.

Because the Sun is now near the peak of its 11-year cycle, sunspots are in the news these days. The Chinese observed sunspots with the naked eye around the tenth century. In 1611 Galileo and Harriot employed telescopes to study them. Their existence, proving that celestial bodies are imperfect, was not welcomed by the Catholic Church. Sunspots, huge storms on the Sun's surface, eject clouds of energetic ions that, if they reach Earth, create auroral phenomena. Such storms routinely disable communication satellites and can disrupt electric power systems. A repeat of the Carrington Event of 1859, the largest known solar storm, could seriously damage electric power transmission equipment and require costly repairs.

Around 2-2.5 billion years ago, one prokaryotic cell engulfed another, forming a symbiotic, mutually beneficial partnership. Almost every living thing we see today is directly descended from that chimeric couple, as they gave rise to eukaryotes. We will explore the environmental conditions that favored this symbiosis, why the presence of the engulfed cell required a complete remodeling of the host cell's organization, and the many important biological consequences of the symbiosis. We will also briefly discuss the only other known examples of engulfed endosymbionts evolving into organelles.

We will continue to explore the new developments in medicine and biotechnology and how they impact our health and well-being.