Science & Technology   

Learn how the sky works and identify favorite spring constellations and bright planets. Special topics include the northern lights (on Earth and elsewhere!), the Milky Way, and how stars made life possible. One of the four classes will be held at the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium. We'll also spend an optional night out on Skyline Parkway near Hawk Ridge observing with a telescope.

Join us to explore general geology topics, local geology, and interesting or unique global geologic topics. Topics including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; minerals, crystals, agates, and zeolites (thomsonite); mineral collection; geologic features including folds, faults and jointing; geologic time; glaciers; volcanoes; earthquakes; plate tectonics; fossils; dinosaurs; asteroids; and extinctions. Class will include an optional half-day geologic field trip to examine local geology.

This class is the follow-up to the class that was offered in Winter 2025. It will cover such topics as monsters of lakes and lochs, animals that are extinct (or are they?), the disappearance of Malaysia Flight 370, dragons and giant snakes, unusual things that fall from the sky, huge figures cut into the landscape, ball lightning, boulders that move by themselves, and other strange things in the sky. Explore in detail these and other mysteries while delving into the mind of one of humankind's greatest thinkers: the celebrated author, scientist, and futurist Arthur C. Clarke.