Science & Math   

The living world of plants is a realm of movement and change. At first we may not see those changes, but by honing our observational skills and enhancing our creative power of thought we can enter this living world where forms are undergoing constant transformation and metamorphosis. Plants call upon us to transform ourselves if we are to gain true knowledge of them. This will be our challenge … and our joy.

This workshop will celebrate Earth Day 2026 whose theme this year is “Our Power, Our Planet.” Course will cover the history of solar power from ancient civilizations up until today. Various case studies will be discussed that examine both low tech and high tech solutions to harnessing the power of the sun. Learn how WW II era shortages of natural resources, the 1970’s energy crisis and modern day marvels of engineering set the stage for our place in the sun today.

Transgender issues are currently in the news. Many of us grew up in a time when this was not discussed and our knowledge base might be limited and/or influenced by social media, heresy or political beliefs. This science based class will focus on the chromosomes, DNA, hormones and genes affecting transgender people. Come share your perspective, experiences, knowledge and questions.

In this workshop, we will explore the fascinating world of communications within various animal species. We will discuss the main types of communication, including auditory, visual and chemical forms. Specific examples with be discussed for whales, primates, canines and seals. We will also discuss the major effort to decipher the language of sperm whales. The objective is for the first time ever to understand what a non-human species is thinking and to communicate with them.