Science & Technology   

Spiders are very common members of the Northland ecosystem. Despite this, most folks know little about them. In this class, we will learn what is and is not a spider, where they live, and how they live. We will talk about spiders that make webs but also those that do not. Emphasis will be on local spiders, their feeding habits, life cycle, and how to recognize them.

Particle physics is the study of what the world is made of at the most fundamental level. This class will offer a non-mathematical review of the search for the basic constituents of nature and the forces through which they interact. We will try to demystify buzzwords such as “quarks,” “neutrinos,” and “bosons.” We will discuss the historical ideas and discoveries, some of the curious characters involved, the increasingly sophisticated experimental equipment and techniques, and the mysteries still being pursued today. Excerpts from The Great Courses will be supplemented with slides and classroom discussion.

Explore the scientific principles behind cooking and how they affect food. Together, we will examine how heat, cold, acids, and other ingredients transform food, affecting its flavor, texture, and preservation.