Science   

The Science of Energy
SCI-01 (in-person)
Session I: Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5
Mondays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
This class is designed for anyone interested in the basic science of how solar cells work, how a heat pump works, how a nuclear reactor works, how the energy in coal is turned into electrical energy, how experts think about the efficiency of various ways of converting, storing, and transporting energy, where the energy of the future will come from, when it will run out, and what parts of all of this are relevant in Alaska. Examples of typical topics can be found in the Stanford University Understand Energy course at https://understand-energy.stanford.edu, the podcast series Closing the Gap with Gwen Holdmann, and numerous other free online resources.

Instructor David Withoff has a Ph.D. in Physics, has taught physics, mathematics, statistics, and computer programming at the college level, and recently retired from a career writing training materials for mathematical software. Dave enjoys learning about math and science topics that come up in everyday life.

Interior Alaska Renewable Energy Update 2026
SCI-02 (in-person)
Session I: Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12
Mondays 2:00 - 3:15 pm (5 weeks)
This course will cover the latest developments on renewable energy projects in Interior Alaska. Over the course of five classes we will examine local opportunities for Solar PV plus storage, Community Solar, and Balcony Solar or Plug-in Solar and heat pumps. Topics will include the Shovel Creek Wind Farm, the existing Delta Wind Farm and its proposed expansion by AMERESCO. We will examine the attributes and economics of a newly constructed Six Star+ home utilizing intelligent design to incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy with an emphasis on good indoor air quality
Sept. 14: Dr. Philip Wight, Solar + Storage.
Sept. 21: Jeremy VanderMeer, Alaska Renewables LLC-Shovel Creek Wind Farm.
Sept. 28: Mike Craft, AMERESCO’s Delta Wind Farm Project.
Oct. 5: Richard and Felicia Musick, Ventilation Solutions- 6 Star plus home design and construction (They turned off their boiler at the end of March).
Oct. 12: Tom De Long, all instructors, and co-facilitators, Dr. John Davies and Mike Musick, provide their top 3 RE issues and invite the class and zoom folks to join in.

All classes will be facilitated by Dr. John Davies, former Research Director at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, and Mike Musick, retired LEED AP and certified green builder.

Interior Alaska Renewable Energy Update 2026
SCI-02-Z (distance-delivered) RECORDED
Session I: Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12
Mondays 2:00 - 3:15 pm (5 weeks)
This course will cover the latest developments on renewable energy projects in Interior Alaska. Over the course of five classes we will examine local opportunities for Solar PV plus storage, Community Solar, and Balcony Solar or Plug-in Solar and heat pumps. Topics will include the Shovel Creek Wind Farm, the existing Delta Wind Farm and its proposed expansion by AMERESCO. We will examine the attributes and economics of a newly constructed Six Star+ home utilizing intelligent design to incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy with an emphasis on good indoor air quality
Sept. 14: Dr. Philip Wight, Solar + Storage.
Sept. 21: Jeremy VanderMeer, Alaska Renewables LLC-Shovel Creek Wind Farm.
Sept. 28: Mike Craft, AMERESCO’s Delta Wind Farm Project.
Oct. 5: Richard and Felicia Musick, Ventilation Solutions- 6 Star plus home design and construction (They turned off their boiler at the end of March).
Oct. 12: Tom De Long, all instructors, and co-facilitators, Dr. John Davies and Mike Musick, provide their top 3 RE issues and invite the class and zoom folks to join in.

All classes will be facilitated by Dr. John Davies, former Research Director at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, and Mike Musick, retired LEED AP and certified green builder.

The Advancing Science of Slowing Aging
SCI-03 (in-person)
Session I: Sept. 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9
Fridays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Science is tackling aging on a broad front - not only is it seeking to cure the specific diseases of aging like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and kidney disease, it’s searching for ways to slow, halt or even reverse aging! This class will focus on things that you can use in your own life (eat carrots!) that we are using in the XPrize clinical trials for health and longevity, which is a 7 year contest to reverse aging. New research on improving health span (exercise!) and the science behind it will also be discussed.

Instructor Ray Collins was raised in the Alaskan Bush. He has 3 degrees from UAF so far, and is now working on a PhD studying aging.

The Advancing Science of Slowing Aging
SCI-03-Z (distance-delivered) RECORDED
Session I: Sept. 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9
Fridays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Science is tackling aging on a broad front - not only is it seeking to cure the specific diseases of aging like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and kidney disease, it’s searching for ways to slow, halt or even reverse aging! This class will focus on things that you can use in your own life (eat carrots!) that we are using in the XPrize clinical trials for health and longevity, which is a 7 year contest to reverse aging. New research on improving health span (exercise!) and the science behind it will also be discussed.

Instructor Ray Collins was raised in the Alaskan Bush. He has 3 degrees from UAF so far, and is now working on a PhD studying aging.

Is Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Practical?
SCI-04 (in-person)
Session I: Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14
Wednesdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
*This course starts a week into Session I and ends Oct. 14.
Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) refers to the deliberate effort to move atmospheric carbon dioxide to the ocean for long term storage as a means to mitigate anthropogenic climate change. In this course, we will discuss whether or not mCDR is practical in terms of being scalable, effective, and whether pros can outweigh the cons. We will talk more broadly about the implications of mCDR rather than the detailed science behind mCDR techniques.

Instructor Emily Seelen is a chemical oceanographer interested in how humans alter the biogeochemical cycling of elements, what that change means for human health and prosperity, and what we can (try to) do about it. Their current areas of research focus on the mercury cycle and marine carbon dioxide removal.

Antarctica: Ice, Mountains, Penguins and Tunicates
SCI-05 (in-person)
Session I Add-On: Oct. 12
Monday 10:30 - 11:45 am (one meeting)
A mix of life, scenery and science in photos and videos of a research voyage aboard UAF's research vessel Sikuliaq in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Instructor Dan Naber is a marine science technician aboard UAF's research vessel Sikuliaq. This is their first time teaching an OLLI class!

Whales and Whaling    
SCI-06 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
Join us as we review whale biology and behavior, historical whaling, indigenous cultural value, and advances in technology.

Instructor Janice Ott, UAF adjunct and retired high school biology teacher, has a passion for unusual things. She holds a M.S. in Biology with emphasis on Wildlife Disease.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: An Exploration of Alaska’s Microfauna
SCI-07 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
This course will introduce participants to a diversity of Alaska’s insect fauna, including those we label as “good,” “bad,” “ugly” (and beautiful!), with the goal of appreciating that ANY insect is fascinating the more we learn about its biology, habits, and role in the natural world.

Instructor Jessica Rykken is the Insect Collection Manager at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. She has been documenting insect diversity across Alaska for 14 years.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: An Exploration of Alaska’s Microfauna
SCI-07-Z (distance-delivered) RECORDED
Session II: Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
This course will introduce participants to a diversity of Alaska’s insect fauna, including those we label as “good,” “bad,” “ugly” (and beautiful!), with the goal of appreciating that ANY insect is fascinating the more we learn about its biology, habits, and role in the natural world.

Instructor Jessica Rykken is the Insect Collection Manager at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. She has been documenting insect diversity across Alaska for 14 years.

The Itinerant Geologist
SCI-08 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12
Thursdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
Having worked extensively throughout Alaska in mobile eight-man tent camps, from remote airstrips supported by small helicopters and fixed-wing charters, along with 28 years of field examination of mineral patent applications, surface management of mining claims, and remote sand and gravel sales, Jim Deininger has gained a broad overview of the diversity of Alaska’s mineral resources.
In this course, you will visit an eclectic cross-section of these experiences, supplemented with 8 mm home movie footage: Tin City tells the story of an Alaskan placer tin mine; prospecting for Alaska jade in the Kobuk River region; explore modern placer gold mining in Woodchopper near Tofty, where early Fairbanks-era mining methods were used, including shaft sinking and stacking pay gravels with a gin pole, winch line, and attached Fairbanks traveler; videos of an operating, family-owned Washington Iron Works bucket-line dredge near Nome; learn the subtleties of sluice cleanup by puddling with a whisk broom and dustpan.

Instructor Jim Deininger has a master’s degree in geology from UAF. He is a Certified Professional Geologist through American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and is licensed in Alaska. His work experience includes seven years of seasonal hard-rock mineral exploration with junior mining companies in Alaska, Colorado, and Wyoming; more than 28 years as a USBLM Certified Mineral Examiner/Review Mineral Examiner in northwestern Alaska; and more than 14 years of private consulting experience determining the mineralogy, geochemistry, and petrology of outcrop and drill core samples for various clients.