All University Park Courses   

The poet Mary Oliver posed the question, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Are you facing a life transition as someone approaching retirement, as a retired person, or as someone needing to (finally) change careers? All of these situations are dominated by two things, the need for action and the confidence to overcome the uncertainty that comes with life transitions. Come learn how the practices used in design thinking and entrepreneurship can allow you to embrace the transition you are facing in order to create the plan for your wild and precious life.

Rick will present an overview of the Korean War, the events leading up to it, and the impact on modern Korea, including the current nuclear crisis with North Korea.

This course will go from Glasgow all the way to Orkney and the Shetland Islands. We will visit castles including Urquhart and Eilean Donan, the most photographed castle in Scotland. Stops include the islands of Skye, Mull, and Iona, where the 6th-century monastery of St. Columba still stands. We will see magnificent cathedrals including 12th-century St. Mungo in Glasgow. Historic sites include Culloden Battlefield, Skara Brae and Ring of Brodgar standing stones in the Orkneys, and Holyrood Palace and The Castle in Edinburgh. The course concludes with the famous Edinburgh Tattoo with massed pipe bands.

This course will introduce the card game of bridge to novice players. Students will learn play of the hand and bidding, defensive skills, and basic conventions such as Stayman, Jacoby transfers, Blackwood, Weak-2s, and doubles. The course is taught from the perspectives of both social bridge and competitive duplicate bridge, enabling students to participate in either after completion. Play begins at first session. The course covers a wealth of material that can be complex.

Please note that the correct time for the course is 1:30 - 3:00 pm.

Panama is an emerging travel gem and a wildlife-lover's paradise. Enjoy a vicarious, photo-rich visit to its lush rainforests and tropical islands in search of sloths, monkeys, frogs, birds, and butterflies. While the main emphasis of the course will be the country's abundant wildlife, Tina will also give a nod to its rich history, especially the storied Panama Canal, and she will explore the lively colonial streets of Casco Viejo, the old town.

This course has been rescheduled due to inclement weather. The new course date is Monday, March 16, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Rolls is excited to share the results of studies conducted in her lab at Penn State that explore the factors in food that drive people to eat in excess or move away from optimal nutrition. She will explain the underlying principles of the Volumetrics approach to weight management and healthy eating. U.S. News & World Report currently ranks Volumetrics as the third-best diet for weight loss and among the ten best diets overall. The course will be interactive, and she welcomes participants’ questions.

Only very recently in human history have we developed technology that can begin to reveal the fundamental nature of the universe. Discuss the current knowledge of the birth of the universe in the Big Bang; the dominant constituents of the universe, dark matter, and dark energy; the size, shape, and structure of the universe; and the ultimate fate of the universe.

Learn the basics of screen printing by creating a custom tote bag! Learn the process step-by-step, from picking a design to pulling the first print—perfect for gifts, groceries, or just showing off your style.

The course is hosted by The Rivet. The Rivet, a branch of Discovery Space, is a 5,000-square-foot community workshop, named to reflect the intention to connect materials, people, ideas, and the means for anyone to make anything.

Course fee includes $29 for supplies.

A champion of ‘art for art’s sake,’ James McNeil Whistler transformed the industrial shore of the Thames into subtle harmonies of muted color. His Symphony in White prompted derision at the Salon des Refusés, but the French government purchased the portrait of his mother years later. The beauty, balance, and exquisiteness of his compositions (associated with music and Japanese prints) belie his personal volatility. Headstrong and arrogant, Whistler enraged the patron of the Peacock Room and sued the leading English critic for defamation. The complexity of his life and work will be our focus.

Join us for a ballroom dance class! Appropriate for all levels. Learn to waltz and some other beginner ballroom styles. Wear something comfortable—or show off your most stylish outfit! Bring a water bottle and join us for a fun, energetic experience at our modern dance studio in the Nittany Mall! The Dance Academy of State College has been in business for over fifty years and takes great pride in providing quality instruction seven days a week!

Dahlias are among the most beautiful flowers for the home garden, but many people feel they are too challenging. In this course, you will learn the history and varieties of dahlias as well as details on every stage of the dahlia life cycle from planting tubers to summer care, cutting flowers, digging tubers in the fall, and winter storage so that you will feel confident growing this amazing flower. Participants will have hands-on experience dividing a dahlia tuber clump to take home tubers.

Course fee includes $5 for dahlia tubers to take home.

Special notes: If you have a hand pruner, please bring it to the course.

Haiku may be the most popular and widely recognized poetic form in the world. In this course, participants will explore how the art of haiku can bring one a sense of peaceful expressiveness. This form of pocket-size poetry popularized in Japan is valued for its lightness and simplicity. Participants will write about ordinary things in ordinary language following the metrical pattern of haiku. Participants will be challenged to convey a vivid impression in a limited number of characters. The goal is to describe the chosen theme in a way that provides a brand-new experience of a well-known situation.

Do you have a favorite tree? For many, the American chestnut provided shelter, food, and enjoyment before it was devastated by an imported disease, the chestnut blight fungus. Share stories and learn about the history of this important tree and discover how you can get involved in helping to save this species.

Australian wines, like their Shiraz, are known for being bold and fruit-forward, while New Zealand wines, such as the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, are famous for their cool-climate character. Enjoy wines from Down Under in a traditional formal tasting, carefully paired with cheese and chocolate to delight your senses.

Participants will use a special tool called a kitska to create a beautiful Ukrainian-style egg. In this course, participants will learn a little history plus create a beautiful egg.

Special notes: Please wear old clothes, as you will be working with permanent dye.

Course fee includes $5 for supplies.

Pennsylvania is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece, Fallingwater, which is listed as a World Heritage Site. Stories abound about this icon of American architecture, but there is so much more to know about Wright’s influence on architecture and the influences that helped shape Wright’s philosophy and approach to design. Of particular significance is the development of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the late nineteenth century, which not only influenced the development of a young architect but also subsequent directions in artistic expression that still reverberate today.

Our news landscape is dominated by tragic scenes of people displaced by large tornadoes, blazing wildfires, raging floodwaters, and more. The term "natural disaster" is commonplace in the headlines whenever these heartbreaking scenes show up, but there isn't much "natural" about them. Certainly there are a lot of natural weather hazards, but taken on their own, they have a hard time becoming a disaster. Through a lecture, and some hands-on simulations and exercises in small groups, participants will learn how natural hazards combine with deep-rooted social vulnerabilities to create disaster.

Course tuition includes $3 for activity supplies.

In this course, Dr. Nader will discuss the importance of maintaining muscle during the aging process and its role in communicating with other organs such as the brain and skeleton.

Please note: This course has been rescheduled to March 26, April 2, and April 9.

We all know that we need a will and powers of attorney, but successful wealth planning today requires a broader and more nuanced approach to legacy planning to ensure family success. This course begins with a philosophical context for successful inter-generational planning and then expands to a technical discussion of disposition, tax optimization, elder law, and communication strategy. Participants will leave with a foundational skill set that allows them to diagnose and design a plan for legacy planning targeted toward multi-generational success.

Whether you need a refresher on how to play pinochle or are new to the game, this course is for you. Review the rules for playing three-, four-, and five-handed pinochle. Participants will learn the terminology and point value of the various melds, and some strategies for playing your hand. Participants will play a game of several rounds.

Who needs takeout! Join us as we create authentic Thai dishes with a Taste Buds Kitchen twist that will please your palate and impress your family and friends. Learn how to put the Thai in our nut-free Pad Thai, roll fresh summer rolls like a pro, and create a dipping sauce that will leave you wanting more. Let’s enjoy a Tasty Thai culinary adventure together!

Special notes: Taste Buds Kitchen will open 10 minutes prior to the start time of the course to begin checking in and welcoming guests. We’ll start promptly, so be sure to arrive on time to ensure that you are able to get the full experience from start to finish! You’ll work in groups of 4 to 6 per table to create our culinary masterpieces. Please wear closed-toe shoes and keep long hair pulled back in the kitchen. Aprons will be provided. A release waiver must be signed and will be available to sign on the day of the course. The waiver is available for review by advance notice.

Course fee includes $45 for food.

This course is offered in partnership with Penn State Emeritus Academy as part of the Academy’s lecture series, Explorations: The Penn State Emeritus Academy Lecture Series.

The lecture will provide the conceptual background for bridewealth payments, payments associated with marriage in many sub-Saharan African settings, and argue that it is precisely such payments that undercut women’s sexual and reproductive autonomy within marriage.

This course is free to members, nonmembers, and the community.

This course will explain what organizations make up the Federal Accountability Framework, such as the Government Accountability Office, Inspectors General, and others; what they do and how they do it; the strengths of the framework; and why it is broken. The course will also discuss what the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) does and whether its work can be relied upon. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and discuss the consequences of a broken accountability framework and possible solutions.

Explore invasive and introduced plants of Pennsylvania with naturalist Autumn Knepp! Together, we will learn about "The Dirty Dozen" and how these plants impact the habitat all around us. This course will focus on foundational knowledge of invasive and introduced plants and equip participants to recognize and manage these flora fiends!

Addiction has enormous social, legal, medical, and personal costs. Addiction might be a disease, and yet using is a choice. New data show that brain changes resulting from addiction perpetuate the cycle of relapse. Are children destined for addiction? Discussion will range from the history of the disease concept to the neurobiology of addiction and the effects of stress on relapse. Discuss how brain science informs the discussion of disease vs. choice.

Participants will learn essential bookbinding techniques and terminology and will have the opportunity to customize their creations using provided paper and cover materials. By the end of the class, each student will walk away with two handmade notebooks, showcasing the binding stitches learned during the session.

This course is hosted by The Rivet. The Rivet, a branch of Discovery Space, is a 5,000-square-foot community workshop, named to reflect the intention to connect materials, people, ideas, and the means for anyone to make anything.

Course tuition includes $21 for supplies.

He gave us Medicare and sent half a million U.S. soldiers to fight in Vietnam. He was a vice president who came into the office of the presidency because of a presidential assassination. Another vice president gave us faith again in the presidency but issued one of the most infamous pardons in history. He was a vice president who came into office because of a president’s resignation. Join us as we examine these two vice presidents who became president under very different circumstances and who still influence us today.

Have you ever imagined living a life of mystery and intrigue as a spy? The year is 1985. Ronald Reagan is president. The United States military and scientific communities are two years into Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) development, and the Soviets are worried they are falling behind. To catch up, they have established a network of “illegals,” sleeper agents living under non-official cover whose purpose is to spy on SDI efforts, collect intelligence, recruit fellow spies, and in some cases, conduct influence operations to manipulate US policy. If you were a spy (for either side), how would you define your persona?

Join Travis Blankenbicker, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry recreational forester, and Brent Harding, Penn State director of forestland, on this interesting exploratory program. This walking tour in Penn State’s Stone Valley Forest introduces the recreational hobby of metal detecting, sometimes referred to as treasure or relic hunting. Human activity, over the past four centuries, has completely transformed the native forests of Pennsylvania. Colonization to farming to industrialization, along with a few wars, were all widespread activities that altered the forested landscape. Many of the incidental trappings from these incursions remain just below the forest duff. Time and nature have reclaimed and obscured many of these imprints left by humans. In fact, Penn’s Woods today is more forested than it was 175 years ago. Metal detecting is an active recreational pursuit that affords one the ability to seek out, track down, and explore the presence of past generations. This course will provide insight into identifying target areas of forests to investigate. It will demonstrate the gear and hardware one needs to competently enjoy the pursuit. Lastly, it will discuss best management practices of the hobby.

Course fee includes $7 for bus transportation.

Special notes: The educational atmosphere will be relaxed, and a restroom stop will be included. Participants will travel to and from the Outreach Building on the Penn State Blue Bus. The bus will leave at 1:00 p.m. and return at 5:00 p.m. The walking portions are easy-to-moderate. Dress for the outdoors with closed-toe shoes, long pants, shirt sleeves, and possibly insect repellent and sun protection. Bring a filled water bottle.

Join us for an introduction to the Nursing Simulation Laboratory (Sim Lab) and Active Learning Classroom (ALC) located on the Penn State University Park campus in the Nursing Sciences Building. The facilities are designed to provide students with hands-on clinical experiences in simulated specialty units. The facilities integrate state-of-the-art human-patient simulators that guide student encounters with various patient situations, with symptoms, diseases, and conditions common in a traditional clinical setting. Simulating real-life situations provides students with opportunities to enhance the development of nursing skills, teamwork, interdisciplinary communication, critical thinking, and clinical judgment skills.

Special notes: Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Entrance to the facility involves a short set of stairs or an elevator.

Take a tour of the State College Police Station. Observe how the police department functions on a regular day and tour the computer room, booking room, cell block, police vehicles, and other offices.

The Republic of Indonesia, a tropical archipelago in the Pacific Ring of Fire is composed of more than 17,000 islands of great beauty, diversity, ancient cultures, and political turmoil. It has experienced numerous disasters, many of epic proportions, and is highly vulnerable to climate change. Gender roles and relations in three major disasters shed light on the factors that influenced preparation, recovery, and resilience, yielding lessons for all of us.

Get the inside scoop about Schlow, from its remarkable art and architecture to the intricacies of its operations. Talk with library staff about cataloging the latest bestsellers, the impact of eBooks and eAudiobooks, and walk away with a new reading app or book suggestions based on your reading interests. Bring your passion for books and curiosity about libraries!

Schlow Library staff consists of community members with varied backgrounds, from degreed librarians to experienced technicians, pages, and volunteers. Collectively, library staff have hundreds of years experience and take pride in collections and services that reflect the community.

Special notes: Parking is available at the library and at any nearby downtown parking lots and garages.

Using basic drawing supplies—such as a ruler, a compass, markers, and colored pencils—participants will complete an abstract piece of modern art. A brief overview of abstract art and artists as well as color technique will be presented. This is a simple and fun project. Drawing experience is not necessary.

Course fee includes $5 for supplies.

During a 90-minute tour, explore several levels of the Millennium Science Complex. Participants will tour lab spaces and discuss the unique arrangement of shared space within the building and see the “quiet” labs, which are vibration-free spaces housing powerful microscopes. There will be ample time to discuss the unique activities and instrumentation contained in this giant building.

Special notes: Participants will meet in the lobby of the Life Sciences wing. Participants must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

The bucolic splendor of Buck’s County and its proximity to Philadelphia drew painters to an impressionist art colony at New Hope at the turn of the century. What characterized Pennsylvania impressionism was not one unified style, however, but the emergence of many mature, distinctive voices: William L. Lathrop's evocative Bucks County vistas; Edward Redfield’s vibrant naturalism; Daniel Garber's luminous renditions of the Delaware River; Fern Coppedge's colorful village scenes; and Robert Spencer's lyrical views of mills and tenements. This will be the focus of a three-session course.

The life of the American Woodcock has fascinated birders and non-birders for centuries and has been a sweet sign of the approaching spring season. Come out to learn more about the natural history of American Woodcocks and for a chance to observe their annual “sky dance.” The course will start at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, followed by a short drive to nearby fields in hopes of observing woodcock activity. Please note that the “sky dance” takes place at dusk and natural lighting may limit sight observations, but participants will be able to listen to the “dance.”

Special notes: The course will begin at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center with a talk. Please allow an extra few minutes to walk from the parking area to the building. Following the talk, participants will travel in their cars to the observation field (about a 5-minute drive). The access road into the field may have some ruts/potholes and may be muddy. Participants should dress for the weather, and it is recommended to dress in layers for both indoor and outdoor activities.

Practicing mindfulness is learning to train one's attention to stay in the present instead of ruminating over the past or racing into the future. In this session, we will learn to direct our attention on purpose toward ourselves, others, and the environment around us. Also, we will discuss and practice mindfulness meditation—which is an integral part of mindfulness. Research has shown this practice increases intentional control, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. BONUS—meditators lose less gray matter and may have a reduction in the cognitive decline often associated with aging.

Family violence of all forms, all ages, and all aspects has always existed in the United States. It is usually kept a secret within family members until some action leads to that secret becoming known. Once revealed, it can be treated and often stopped with a variety of interventions. This course is an overview that will look at types of abuse and neglect, treatments, and prevention strategies to build healthy futures for family members.

Join Gerry, a former Sentinel, for a history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as he shares the duties and responsibilities of those who guard the Unknowns.

This leisurely walk will focus on finding and appreciating the many bird species migrating through central Pennsylvania. April is peak time to observe and learn to identify warblers, thrushes, and vireos as they make their way north.

Special notes: Wear clothes appropriate for the expected weather and shoes appropriate for a walk. Please allow for an extra five minutes to walk from the parking lot to the Center.

Australian wines, like their Shiraz, are known for being bold and fruit-forward, while New Zealand wines, such as the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, are famous for their cool-climate character. Enjoy wines from Down Under in a traditional formal tasting, carefully paired with cheese and chocolate to delight your senses.

This leisurely walk will explore the flora along the Lower Trail (rails-to-trails), paralleling the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River near Alexandria in Huntingdon County. Highlights include Dutchman's breeches and large populations of nodding trillium, along with more than twenty additional species in bloom.

Special note: This trail is flat with a rolled, crushed limestone surface. Participants will meet at the Lower Trail Alfarata Station in Alexandria (Google map). Wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers for the spring weather. Pack a snack and bring a water bottle.

Rapidly developing artificial intelligence might be a savior for news media organizations battered by audience and advertising losses to the internet and social media. Or AI might make everything worse. Can chat bots replace reporters? Can AI-generated images replace the work of photographers? How can readers and viewers know what's created by AI? Journalists are wrestling with these questions and more right now. This course will look at how AI is already being used in journalism, the ethics of using it, what's coming, and how news consumers will have to be ready and wary.

Owens Valley has been central to the California water wars since the early 1900s. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains ranges, Owens Valley is now home to several small towns. It is known for its incomparable outdoor activities, four national parks, and a vast wilderness and alpine lakes. People visit from around the world to experience this wild and remote area. This course will introduce the geography, water wars history, geology, and most of all, the incredible beauty of this part of the country.

Design, cut, and combine glass powder and pieces to create one-of-a-kind glass panels while learning more about the process of making and firing glass. Perfect for coasters or as distinct art pieces. Anticipate collecting your finished projects from The Rivet in the weeks following the course.

This course is hosted by The Rivet. The Rivet, a branch of Discovery Space, is a 5,000-square-foot community workshop, named to reflect the intention to connect materials, people, ideas, and the means for anyone to make anything.

Course fee includes $34 for supplies.

After the successful landing on D-Day, completion of the Battle of Normandy, and liberation of Paris, the Allies turned their attention to liberating the Low Countries of Belgium and the Netherlands. Rick will discuss the push into the Low Countries, including the Battle of the Bulge.

The brain is a mysterious organ. Overwhelmingly, people embrace beliefs about the brain and how it works that are complete myths! In this course, Dr. Dennis will dispel common myths about the brain (e.g., that we only use 10% of our brain, that brain damage is always permanent, or that you cannot generate new neurons) by presenting research from psychology and neuroscience. As she addresses these misconceptions, she will also highlight useful lifestyle factors that support optimal brain functioning with age. Ample time will be reserved for questions and an interactive discussion.

This course will detail how Professor Hanley was one of forty International Olympic Academy (IOA) past participants to run with the Olympic torch in Greece prior to the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, with runners from different countries represented. Hanley will also detail her involvement with the IOA, beginning in 1977, and how she was afforded opportunities to attend seven Olympic Games, including both Winter and Summer Games. Her dance workshops at the IOA paved the way and were the catalyst for these "magic" times. Her torch, other Olympic-related items, and video clips will be shared.

This course will examine universal religious questions through the eyes and experiences of Judaism. How is the religious response invoked? What is the interplay between religious authority and wisdom? And, how does religion grow and evolve—"changing, but remaining the same?"

Join us for an interactive exploration of the museum’s collections, where we’ll discuss how curators manage and care for a wide variety of artifacts and materials. Learn simple preservation techniques and discover the guidelines followed to ensure the longevity of these precious items. Participants will have the unique opportunity to handle select artifacts using white gloves and engage hands-on with history. A perfect experience for those curious about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into preserving our cultural heritage!

Special notes: Please wear comfortable shoes; participants will be standing on concrete.

This course shares the dramatic and emotional stories of a dozen of the most cherished sacred places in America. These iconic places of worship represent different faiths, different histories, and a range of architectural splendor. Sites include: Old Ship Meeting House in Massachusetts, San Xavier del Bac (“The White Dove of the Desert”) in Tucson, Trinity Church in New York, Beth Sholom Synagogue in Pennsylvania, New Horizon Sanctuary in Atlanta, the Mormon Temple in Utah, the First Baptist Church in Providence, the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, the Cadet Chapel at West Point, and others. Some structures were designed by well-known architects H.H. Richardson, Richard Upton, and Frank Lloyd Wright and feature stained glass windows by masters such as John LaFarge. Video clips from the PBS documentary America’s Houses of Worship will be used to show the history and grandeur of each sacred site.

This leisurely walk will explore the flora at Canoe Creek State Park, located outside of Hollidaysburg in Blair County (31 miles southwest of State College). Highlights are likely to include large populations of phlox, yellow lady's-slipper, trout lilies, redbuds, and more than twenty other species in bloom.

Special notes: The trail is a relatively flat and easy walk. Meet at the parking lot at the Terry Wentz Education Center, 160 Marsh Road, Hollidaysburg (Google map). Please wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers for the spring weather. Bring a water bottle and a snack.

The Girl Groups of the rock 'n' roll era represent one of the most fascinating components of the modern music era. The Girl Groups developed from pioneers in vaudeville and the swing and boogie woogie era of music from the 1920s and 1930s. This course is part presentation and part American Bandstand and will include videos of some of the groups who were instrumental in the Girl Groups sound and their influence on today's artists. Sing along, get up and dance, or clap to the music if you like!

Many of us may remember riding the wooden roller coaster at the local amusement park as kids and later taking our kids to Disney World. These playful places tell us a lot about how growing up in America has changed since Coney Island introduced the amusement park around 1900 and Disney created the modern theme park in 1955. Making use of images and original research, the course will explore the history of these parks, how and why they differed, why some failed and others survived, and especially what drew people to these parks. There will be time for questions and shared memories.

Learn about Arlington National Cemetery’s amazing history, the inspiring monuments, and the numerous famous—and some not-so-famous—individuals interred at our nation’s most prominent cemetery.

Join a group of garden enthusiasts for an in-depth walking tour of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens. Participants will gain insight into the history of the Arboretum as a public garden. The tour is about the stories of the design and construction process—how the space moved from a football parking lot and farm fields to the beautiful Arboretum.

Special notes: Participants will be standing and walking for the duration of the tour. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for weather. Please bring a water bottle. Paid visitor parking is through HonkMobile/pay station in the lot adjacent to the Katz Law Building. Parking is also available at the East Parking Deck with a short walk to the Arboretum.

 

Human survival depends on our stress response, but big increases in blood pressure and cortisol are risky for long-term health. Why is too much stress bad for us and how can our behaviors protect us? Discussion will range from the emotional and physiological impacts of stress to the impact of small dietary changes on chronic disease risk. Through lecture and discussion, explore how scientific knowledge of this system can enhance survival and resilience. Sheila agrees with the famous stress physiologist Hans Selye, who said about his book, The Stress of Life, “This book is dedicated to those who are not afraid to enjoy the stress of a full life, nor too naïve to think that they can do so without intellectual effort.”

Artificial intelligence is transforming health care, from managing hospital capacity to reducing documentation burdens for doctors. This course offers a clear, accessible introduction to AI in medicine, covering how these technologies work, where they are used, and what risks and benefits they bring. Case studies will highlight both successes and challenges, with discussion on ethics, privacy, and the role of human judgment. No technical background is required—just curiosity about how AI is reshaping modern care.

Alan will lead participants on a walk through the Holmes-Foster neighborhood to look at some of the nearly 7,000 street trees and discuss management of our urban forest resource.

Special notes: Parking is available at the lower entrance (Westerly Parkway) of Holmes Foster Park (across from Our Lady of Victory).

The basic steps to line dancing will be introduced in easy dances that will give you a foundation to use for beginner classes in the local area.

Join Environmental Education Specialist Jen Moore for a history/nature hike along the Chestnut Springs Tail. Traveling uphill, participants will visit a springhouse and the site of an old school before crossing Broad Mountain Road. This trail then follows a small stream downhill. Various nature topics will be covered, including trees and invasive species. The trail is approximately one mile in length.

Visit the Penn State Dairy Barns, where approximately 500 animals are housed. Take a tour of the dairy facility to see the animals and learn about how the animals are taken care of and what research is conducted at the facility.

Special notes: Participants will be standing and walking for the duration of the course. Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather.

Intellectual property has become an increasingly important part of American life over the past few decades. Rick Bigelow, a nuclear engineer and registered patent and trademark attorney, will discuss what intellectual property is and the various ways in which intellectual property can be protected. In addition, he will discuss what every business and every individual should know about intellectual property both in the United States and internationally.

Learn why the Medicaid program matters to you. Ask most people, “what is Medicaid?” The typical answer is: “Health care for poor people.” But with our health care system, the Medicaid program affects all of us, even if we are not eligible for Medicaid. How so? The money from Medicaid services supports the operation of rural hospitals and providers. The money from Medicaid for long-term care helps to relieve our children of significant financial burdens and hours spent on caregiving. Finally, it is our safety net when we need help as we age.

Honey bees are unique among insects; they are highly social, critical pollinators of many food crops and produce two highly prized products, honey and wax. Explore their fascinating social structure through the use of an observation hive. In addition, we will discuss why honey bees are such prized pollinators and key to our food supply and what makes honey and beeswax such important and useful products. The first session will be a lecture and the second session will be a visit to an apiary (at the instructor's home) with live honey bee colonies.

Tour the Eberly College of Science Biology Greenhouse and its collection of plants. The greenhouse is a 6,250-square-foot structure that houses a diverse collection of plants, including the Lloyd Driver Orchid Collection. The greenhouse also provides rooms for professors and students in the College of Science to grow and research various plants. The greenhouse has been undergoing a number of changes over the past few months including labeling and updating of its collections as well as efforts to create a more educational space.

Special notes: Participants must wear closed-toe shoes.

Join Dr. Jared Frederick for an engaging lecture on Fort Roberdeau, the Revolutionary War frontier outpost that created a foundation for industrial growth in central Pennsylvania. In this course, Frederick will explore the fort’s unique role in protecting lead mining operations, its connections to Native American history, and the challenges faced by settlers on the edge of the American wilderness. This course expertly brings together military history, local heritage, and dramatic stories of peril that defined the Revolutionary era.

In this 2-hour course, participants will gain an understanding of 3D printing, starting with the design stage. Each student will first learn the basics of TinkerCAD, a 3D design software, in order to create a simple model that will then be prepared for printing. Afterwards, we will discuss the printers themselves while bringing the digital design to reality.

This course is hosted by The Rivet. The Rivet, a branch of Discovery Space, is a 5,000-square-foot community workshop, named to reflect the intention to connect materials, people, ideas, and the means for anyone to make anything.

Course tuition includes $21 for supplies.

Explore how money is going digital. This course explains Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and the blockchain technology behind them. Discuss how digital wallets work, why these innovations matter, and what they could mean for the future of finance.

This leisurely walk will explore the flora at Martin Gap (Rocky Ridge Natural Area), located twenty miles south of State College, off of Route 26. The trail has significant elevation changes (comparable to Musser Gap Trail). Expect rocky areas. Highlights are likely to include two to five orchid species (yellow and red lady's-slippers, putty orchid, and/or queen of the lady's-slippers) and a rare (for Pennsylvania) yellow and pink corydalis, along with more than twenty additional species. Special notes: Please wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers for the spring weather. Bring a water bottle and a snack. Directions will be shared in a separate email.

The Woods Brown Mansion is a historic house museum located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. This tour will immerse participants in the elegance and daily life of the Victorian Era. After nearly 50 years of modernization, the mansion has been carefully restored by its current owners to reflect its original 19th-century charm. See a rare glimpse into Victorian life but also discover Huntingdon’s unique role and development during that period.

Special notes: The tour is not handicap accessible and does require the participants to go up stairs. Course fee includes $15 admission ticket.

Dr. Patricia Fogelman, DNP, clinical director of palliative medicine at Mount Nittany Health, will lead an informative session on advance directives, explaining how these documents help people share their health care wishes before a medical crisis. She will discuss how to talk with loved ones and health care providers about what matters most and will guide attendees through completing an advance directive form. This course will help participants feel more confident making and communicating future care decisions for themselves or their family members.

Course fee includes light lunch and drink.