Science, Technology & Medicine   

Throughout history, people have fashioned materials into tools for sustenance, shelter, safety, and artistic creativity. Originally, cutting and chipping removed material from a simple wood or stone shape to produce a functional device. Then molding and forming processes, such as the potter’s wheel and bronze casting, expanded the complexity of shapes and materials. Now 3D printing, adding material bit by bit, extends manufacturing capabilities to previously impossible geometries and alters our thinking about design. We will discuss the evolution of 3D printing, the roles of local enterprises in its development, and its influence on shaping the future.

This course explores the basic principles of biological evolution, starting from Darwin's theory of natural selection and working up to modern advancements in developmental biology. Concepts covered will include both microevolution and macroevolution, with examples of evolution affecting both human and nonhuman organisms, and how evolutionary forces have shaped the history of life in the distant past and continue to do so even in the present day.

The iPhone is a communication device, and it is a portable computer in your pocket. Are you using your expensive device to make your life easier, or is the frustration level rising? The aim of this course is to develop your confidence in using your iPhone to assist you in your daily life. This course will explore the apps that Apple provides, such as mail, iMessage, Contacts, Photos, Camera, Notes, Weather, Maps, and others. For this course, you will need an iPhone running the most recent version of the operating system (likely to be iOS 17 released in Fall 2024). 

We share the earth with birds and live among each other, but birds are mysterious. What are the habits of the birds in our backyards? How do they keep warm, how do they fly? When, why, and how do they sing? This course is an invitation to examine the lives of some North American birds. Five lectures include topics of bird ancestry and anatomy, diet and nesting, flight and migration, threats, and behavior and songs. We will examine birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl, and the instructor’s favorite: the common loon.

This course is not an introduction to using your iPhone and iPad.

For a few years, many of us have been taking a lot of digital photos with our iPhones and iPads. Now might be a great time to take a closer look at becoming a better photographer and editor of all those accumulated pictures. We will explore the various apps that come with your iPhone and iPad as well as investigate some additional resources not provided by Apple. Please note: This course is appropriate for those who routinely take photos with their iPhones and iPads, have used them for several years, and feel comfortable and knowledgeable navigating their devices.

 

This course offers a deep dive into the fundamentals of the Internet, tailored for adults 50 and older. Members will explore the evolution of the Internet, from its architecture and network structures to the latest in Web 4.0 and 5G technologies. Emphasis will be on practical applications in education, digital citizenship, and safe online practices. Interactive sessions will cover essential concepts, the role of cloud computing in education, and the impact of artificial intelligence on future learning. No prior technical experience is required, making this an enriching journey into the digital age.

Northern Arizona's Grand Canyon is one of the world's most famous wonders. We'll explore its geology and trail development, the role of the Colorado River, its plants and animals, and ancient Native American tribes' affiliations with the Canyon. We will examine the early pioneer history of the South and North Rims and learn how tourism developed. Finally, we will explore modern efforts of preservation and conservation through the National Park Service and the tribes associated with stewardship of the Grand Canyon.

People are normally able to respond to a variety of pathogens using their immune system, in processes which we will explore. But sometimes the immune system is perverted from its beneficial role and turns on the host to cause autoimmune diseases and/or allow cancers to grow. Thus, the immune system can be seen as a friend to combat sickness or a cause of sickness when the body goes to war with itself.