All University Park Courses   

Spend the fall semester engaging in meaningful discussions on happiness, aging, and well-being with undergraduate students. Together, we’ll explore different perspectives on personal growth, habit formation, and ways to support others on their journey.

Participants registered for this course will be in the full session that includes one weekly classroom session (on the listed dates) and a second weekly meeting for interest group outings in community settings. These outings provide an opportunity for casual conversations and shared experiences with students—essentially, a chance to have fun while learning together. Outing dates and times will be set based on your group’s availability, most likely on Thursdays from 4:35 to 5:50 p.m., aligning with student schedules.

Additionally, we will collaborate on an intergenerational group project, fostering deeper connections and shared learning.

The course will be held on the University Park campus and other sites to be determined.

Spend the fall semester engaging in meaningful discussions on happiness, aging, and well-being with undergraduate students. Together, we’ll explore different perspectives on personal growth, habit formation, and ways to support others on their journey.

For the first two weeks of the course, everyone meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For the remainder of the semester, those registered for this "Light" session will only meet on Tuesdays.

The course will be held on the University Park campus.

The use of plant medicines to treat mental and physical health conditions is growing rapidly throughout the world. Learn about the history and indigenous use of plant medicines for healing and how these traditions are evolving in response to the increase in interest. Explore how illness is defined relationally in these cultures and how healing happens in group ceremonies. Learn how people from the Global North are exploring these traditions and the implications for indigenous groups as well as outsiders seeking healing. This course in no way advocates the use of any substance.

This three-part, hands-on course is designed for beginners. Learn the basics of wheel throwing and how to trim your pieces, and explore different glazing techniques.

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 $89 for supplies.

Our knowledge of the universe relies almost entirely on the light from distant stars and galaxies that is collected by telescopes. Learn the basic physics of light and the information that it carries, and review the functions and capabilities of current and upcoming telescopes, both on Earth and in space.

A central figure in French Impressionism, Berthe Morisot had already achieved renown by exhibiting at the Paris Salon in the 1860s. Her contemporaries admired her color harmony and the confidence of her touch. One critic described her paintings as the result of “scattering flower petals.” As an upper-class woman, her subjects were restricted to the domestic sphere, which included her husband Eugène Manet and their daughter Julia, often in garden settings. Her modernity and lack of sentimentality resulted in works of authentic intimacy such as The Cradle and Woman at Her Toilette.

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

Wodehouse is generally considered the greatest humorist in the English language of the twentieth century. Over a 70-year writing career, he created more than 4,000 characters, including Bertie Wooster and his man Jeeves. He wrote novels, short stories, plays, libretti, and lyrics for musical comedies in collaboration with some of the greats, including the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, and Cole Porter. He was also painfully shy. Liberace, of course, was a great popular pianist and entertainer, known as “Mr. Showmanship.” He was anything but shy. It appears that these two geniuses never met or communicated in any way. Yet there was indeed a connection between the two that Rains unearthed a couple of years ago. It involved World War II, Nazi Germany, internment, defamation, and litigation. Also, humor of course.

Participants will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Eisenhower Auditorium, exploring areas not typically accessible to the general public, such as backstage areas, dressing rooms, and lighting catwalks. See demonstrations of some of the theatrical systems, learn about the history of the building, and hear anecdotes about various events that have occurred there over its 50 plus–year history.

Special notes: Please wear sensible footwear (i.e., sneakers or flats without slippery soles). This course is a three sneaker activity level of standing, walking, and not all ares are accessible but accommodations can be made in advance. Parts of this venue tour include navigating steep stairs, dimly illuminated mechanical rooms, and elevated catwalks. For those unable or unwilling to attempt these physical challenges, alternative opportunities may be made possible by advance request. The nearest paid visitor parking is the East Parking Deck or any campus visitor parking. 
 

Enjoy an educational hike through ClearWater Conservancy's Barrens to Bald Eagle Wildlife Corridor! A guide from the Centred Outdoors program will lead participants as they learn about the local ecology, the nearby Scotia Barrens, and the importance of wildlife corridors.

Special notes: This tour is a three sneaker activity level with substantial amount of standing, walking, outdoor walking, historic tour pace, not all areas accessible.The hike will be 0.6 miles on a grassy path. The terrain is fairly flat with some gradual elevation change. Participants should come dressed for the weather and with sturdy walking shoes. Some trekking poles will be available for participants to borrow.

An engaging, police-led course that explores the world of detective work through the lens of cold cases. Participants will learn how investigations evolve over time, review real case scenarios, and discuss modern techniques used to re-examine unsolved cases. The course encourages open dialogue, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the challenges and strategies behind solving long-standing mysteries.

 

This introductory course is the perfect starting point for anyone curious about working with glass and creating stunning stained glass panes. Designed for beginners, this course covers the fundamentals of design, materials, and techniques. Under the guidance of your instructor, you’ll learn the complete process of making your own stained glass pane.*

*Important Information: Working with glass requires proper attire for safety. Please wear closed-toe shoes, tie back long hair, and avoid loose clothing or jewelry. While instructors prioritize safety, working with glass inherently involves the risk of small cuts. By enrolling in this course, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

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 $113.00 for supplies.

This course will introduce the card game of bridge to novice players. Participants 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 participants to take part in either after completion. Play begins at first session. The course covers a wealth of material that can be complex.

Enjoy a broad overview of cheesemaking. Sample several cheeses and learn what to look for while evaluating them and how to pair them with different foods. 

Course fee includes $15 for cheese tasting experience.

Special notes: Take Route 26 to Pleasant Gap. Follow 64 North for about 12 miles. Go past Hublersburg about 1 mile. Turn right onto Wise Road. This is the farm lane. Goot Essa Farm is the third farm at the end of the lane on top of the hill.

 

Pickleball is played on a reduced-size tennis court with paddles and a light plastic ball with holes (see usapickleball.org for more information). Popular in resort areas, the game is ideal for seniors who play doubles. Equipment and individualized instruction will be provided.

Special notes: Pickleball is a physically challenging sport that requires balance and agility. You must wear court shoes and sport clothes.

Course fee includes $20 court fee.

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

Special notes: The walk is a two sneaker activity level with moderate amount of walking and standing, accessible areas.Wear clothes appropriate for the expected weather and shoes appropriate for a walk. 

 

Anne and Lynn will feature New World wines with Old World cheeses, topping it all off with chocolates in a traditional tasting format. Prepare to have some fun exploring the world!

Curious about robotics but not sure where to start? This hands-on course invites participants to explore robotics in a fun, approachable way using the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime platform. Working in small groups, participants will design and build a simple robot with LEGO components, learn the basics of block-based coding, and put their creations to the test in a friendly “hopper race” challenge. No prior experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to try something new. The course is designed to be creative, social, and low-pressure.

Special notes: The nearest visitor campus parking lot is the Nittany Deck, about a 5-minute walk.

Capture the experience at Rhoneymeade Arboretum and Sculpture Garden with watercolor paint on paper. In this course, explore rendering the landscape from the beautiful vistas and within the quiet, intimate spaces created by the trees and sculptures on this historic property. The 1853 Rhoneymeade house in Centre Hall was home to Leonard Rhone, the founder of the Grange Fair. The 150-acre property holds the first conservation easement through ClearWater Conservancy, serves the community as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and offers inspiration to artists, naturalists, and creatives of all genres.

Special notes: Participants will be walking on mowed paths and uneven ground. Please bring a bottle of water and wear comfortable clothing, sturdy, closed-toe shoes, sunblock, and a sun hat. All supplies provided.

Course fee includes $10 for supplies.

This course will guide participants through the many changes Lemont has experienced over the past 200+ years. The discussion will begin in the pre-Lemont era, when the village was a small hamlet at the foot of Mount Nittany. It will outline Lemont’s transition into an important regional transportation hub, including its one-time role as the “gateway to Penn State.” The course will cover cultural moments in the village’s history and highlight influential figures who helped shape Lemont in its heyday. It will also explore how growth slowed, and yet the village’s historic charm was preserved.

Special notes: This tour is a three sneaker activity level of substantial standing, wallking and not all areas are accessible. Please wear comfortable shoes for standing and walking and dress appropriately for the weather. Street parking is available on Dale Street or Mt. Nittany Road. Meet at the Lemont Village Green.

Due to the inclement weather forecast, the course is postponed. The course is rescheduled to September 23, from 10:00 am to Noon.

Blessing bundles are a gathering of gifts from nature: flowers, rocks, bark, feathers, etc. Add human creativity to fashion a thing of beauty and blessing for the home. Participants may bring natural objects from home or use the materials provided. This course will be held outside at the instructor’s home. If there is bad weather, the course will be rescheduled. 

Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition in the United States, following arthritis and heart disease. This course addresses key questions about what to do if you or a loved one is suspected of having hearing loss.  Topics include selecting a hearing health care provider, understanding the different types of hearing loss, summarizing treatment options, and discussing communication strategies. 

Course fee includes light lunch and drink.

Join Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery's winemaker for a behind-the-scenes look at wine production. We will go over the whole winemaking process (grape-to-bottle) including harvest, crush, fermentation, aging, and bottling. This is a great opportunity to see how wine is made and ask questions. After the completion of the OLLI tour, you are invited to participate in an optional wine tasting with the winemaker at your own expense.

Course fee includes $12 tour fee.

Special note: This tour is a two sneaker activity level that requires moderate standing and wallking. Some accessible areas. Optional wine tasting will be held following the completion of the course. Participants can opt for a small tasting ($6.95) or large tasting ($11.95), paid on the day of the course to Mt. Nittany Winery.

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.

Three sneakers activity level: Substantial standing, walking, and not all areas are accessible.

 

Kokedama is a traditional Japanese plant art often described as a moss-ball bonsai. The name comes from koke (moss) and dama (ball), and the practice has deep roots in Japan, where it remains widely loved.

Historically, kokedama featured miniature, sculpted bonsai displayed on handmade pottery or pieces of driftwood. In this class, you’ll create a modern interpretation using an ornamental plant whose roots are formed into a hand-shaped ball of soil and clay. Wrapped in lush moss and bound with string, a simple plant is transformed into a striking, sculptural work of living art.

Course fee includes $25 for supplies.

Explore the beauty of Penn State's University Park campus while identifying historic and unique trees.

Special notes: The walks is a three sneaker activitiy level with substantial walking and standing, not all areas are accessible. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. 

The field of forensic DNA analysis, with its role in solving violent personal crimes, has grown exponentially over the past three decades. This course will explain the structure and functions of DNA, RNA, the nucleus, and mitochondria in our bodies and their importance in analyzing bodily fluids retrieved from crime scenes. In the 21st century, molecular genealogy has been critical in solving some cold cases. This course will help participants understand how molecular biology has become one of the most important technologies in modern times.

Take a special exhibition tour of two of the most recent displays of rare and archival material in the Eberly Family Special Collections Library! You’ll enjoy an exclusive tour with the curators, with plenty of time to ask questions and enjoy the beauty of tangible pieces of history.

A rare bird captures our imaginations. When is a bird considered rare, and why do some birders go out of their way to see them? Explore this question with Sue Braun, member of Juniata Valley Audubon Society and State College Bird Club, as she shares her passion for birds and the many places she has traveled in the United States to find them.

This course will discuss the United States Navy's Admiral Nimitz' island-hopping campaign across the Pacific in World War II, from the Doolittle Raid to Okinawa. Discussion will include campaigns in the Solomons, Gilberts, Carolines, Marianas, and finally Okinawa.

Most bakers are shy about pie baking because the crust component can be frustrating. Well, this course can simplify that. The first hour of the course is a discussion. During the second hour, each participant will make a double crust to take home and enjoy.

Special notes: Bring your own mixing bowl. All other supplies provided. Participants will be standing for the second hour of the course to make the crust.

Course fee includes $5 for supplies.

Our brains are made up mostly of water, and just like a river, that water is always moving. This gentle flow helps clear away waste—waste that, if it builds up, can lead to problems like dementia and other neurological diseases. In this course, Dr. Patrick Drew will share how his research uses powerful microscopes to look inside the brain and show how two simple things—sleep and exercise—help this "rinse cycle" work better, keeping our minds sharp and healthy as we age.

With an overview of this complex program, learn about the difference between original Medicare and the Advantage Program, as well as Medicare supplement and prescription programs. Discussions will center around when to make changes to your plan selections and upcoming changes to Medicare in 2027. Bill and Karrigan will also discuss Medicare fraud. Feel free to discuss any personal issues you may be experiencing with Medicare or your supplemental plans.

Cheese is a great cuisine when it shares the plate with nuts, dried fruits, and crackers. Taste the ways these pairings will enhance your enjoyment of eating cheese and hear the stories that will grow your love of cheese.

Special notes: For full enjoyment, participants are encouraged to pick up the cheese flight ($14), handouts, and booklet in the Cheese Department at Wegmans in State College. Materials and cheese flights will be available on October 5, 6, or 7 (before class). Payment for the cheese flight is required at the time of pick-up.

The lay of the land and its geological and soil resources have affected the course of human events in Pennsylvania from prehistoric to colonial and modern times. For example, prehistoric Aboriginal people sought logical residence near water resources and sought bedrock geology that was composed of jasper to make rock tools and weapons for hunting, protection, or war. Later, during colonial and modern times, transportation of goods, including coal, was hampered by the steep escarpment of the Allegheny Mountains’ eastern front. The landscapes of the commonwealth are the result of underlying bedrock, surficial geology, and soils. The geological history of Pennsylvania goes back about 1 billion years, the age of the oldest bedrock. Since then, the land has been changing because of the processes of plate tectonics, continental glaciation, and constant mechanical and chemical weathering and erosion. The state geological map portrays 217 different bedrock formations from about a billion years ago to recent times. Bob will describe the landscapes and geology of the commonwealth, discuss how the two interrelate, and correlate how landscapes and geology influenced the people that lived and settled in Pennsylvania and those that live here today.

The lay of the land and its geological and soil resources have affected the course of human events in Pennsylvania from prehistoric to colonial and modern times. For example, prehistoric Aboriginal people sought logical residence near water resources and sought bedrock geology that was composed of jasper to make rock tools and weapons for hunting, protection, or war. Later, during colonial and modern times, transportation of goods, including coal, was hampered by the steep escarpment of the Allegheny Mountains’ eastern front. The landscapes of the commonwealth are the result of underlying bedrock, surficial geology, and soils. The geological history of Pennsylvania goes back about 1 billion years, the age of the oldest bedrock. Since then, the land has been changing because of the processes of plate tectonics, continental glaciation, and constant mechanical and chemical weathering and erosion. The state geological map portrays 217 different bedrock formations from about a billion years ago to recent times. Bob will describe the landscapes and geology of the commonwealth, discuss how the two interrelate, and correlate how landscapes and geology influenced the people that lived and settled in Pennsylvania and those that live here today.

Leave the take-out menu at home and join us for Chinese favorites with a Taste Buds Kitchen twist! We'll master some of your favorite menu items, including a dipping sauce that's so amazingly good, it'll leave you wanting more. Grab a friend for a fun day of Chinese favorites!

Menu includes General Tso's chicken, chicken scallion dumplings, and honey soy dipping sauce.

Course fee includes $45 for food and supplies.

This course provides support and encouragement for new writers as well as experienced authors. Badiali believes wholeheartedly that personal histories are valuable treasures to be recorded and shared with loved ones. They are worth sharing with your extended family and others.

Special notes: Participants should read a memoir or autobiography of their choice before class and bring it to the first course session. Please bring materials to support in-class writing based on personal preference (paper and pencil, laptop computer, iPad, journal, etc.).

In this course, we will review photo composition and then go further into all the many things you can do with the camera on your mobile phone, including voice control, stills from video, editing, and much more. Learn to take beautiful, creative photos with your mobile phone camera!

This course will follow Steve's "flight plan" and trace his path from small-town dreamer to the high-technology world of the United States Navy, aviation, and experimental flight testing.

Participants will assemble a small ‘treasure chest’ from pre-cut hardwood, about the size of a foot stool with a curved top. The first session will focus on assembly and glue work and the second session will be for finishing the piece and adding hardware. Each participant will leave with their own small chest, perfect for storage or as a gift.

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 $46 for supplies.

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 includes 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: The walks is a three sneaker activitiy level with substantial walking and standing. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and 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.

Penn State boasts a proud (some say #Unrivaled) tradition of success in college football, and this course covers it all. Participants will become familiar with the full Penn State football chronology from its inception to the present, learning about key moments, figures, and games that shaped its unique character while also understanding its place in the broader history of the sport. Enhance your enjoyment of every game and season by deepening your appreciation of the program’s ongoing story.

Montparnasse attracted international artists at the beginning of the 20th century, and by the 1920s, it was the center of cultural life in Paris. Romanian sculptor Brâncuși met Italian painter Modigliani there in 1909; they became close friends and central figures in the pre-war avant-garde. Brâncuși mentored Modigliani as a sculptor, with the abstraction and primitivism of the former’s work finding its way into the latter’s. The life and careers of both will be discussed as will Brâncuși's masterworks, The Kiss and Bird in Space, and Modigliani’s sculpted heads and painted portraits.

NOTE: The course date is rescheduled to October 15, 10:00 - 11:30 am.

What is mindfulness, and what does it have to do with democracy? How can practicing mindful democracy help us to build connection and beloved community, even when we disagree? What is the difference between deliberation and debate, and why does this difference matter? What are some practical steps that each of us can take to build a more caring, compassionate world? Building from Jeremy's recently published book On Mindful Democracy, these are the questions we will take up in our time together.

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: Participants will be standing and walking for the duration of the tour. Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Entrance to the facility involves a short set of stairs or an elevator.

Want to design your own holiday card? You could design a greeting card, a party invitation, or even a gift tag. Use watercolors, watercolor crayons, watercolor pencils, or a combination to create your card.

We'll help you make a copy or photo that you could use for digital purposes and/or a paper copy if you want to order cards from a commercial source. Lots of samples and ideas will be available to help you find a design you like.

Course fee includes $5 for supplies.

This course will examine the original ancient Greek Hippocratic Oath along with subsequent oaths taken by medical practitioners, including The Oath of Maimonides and the 1948 and 2017 Declarations of Geneva. Through interactive discussion, we'll examine the historical circumstances and ethical perspectives that shaped each oath, along with the rationale behind the updates made from one oath to the next. Participants will compare these various oaths with each other while also considering additional updates or changes that should be made to current medical oaths and ethics.

In October of 1755, a group of Lenape warriors murdered and kidnapped members of several families in Central Pennsylvania. This event and General Braddock's defeat were two of the opening salvos in the Seven Years' War. The tale of how three young women survived their ordeal became buried under three centuries of stories promoting political, religious, racial, and misogynistic prejudice.

Anne and Lynn will feature New World wines with Old World cheeses, topping it all off with chocolates in a traditional tasting format. Prepare to have some fun exploring the world!

This course title comes from an article in the New Yorker magazine. In this homicide case that occurred in 1985, five individuals confessed to a heinous crime in a small town in Nebraska. Participants will learn how science, justice, and conflict of interest play a major role in our criminal justice system. Five individuals confessed to the crime and testified against the sixth person, and their testimony convicted him. All six spent many years in prison. Reena had a major role in this case, analyzing the evidence; however, she was not asked to testify at the trial until 2016.

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

Fruit flies (Drosophila) are not just an annoying problem in your kitchen but have served as a model system for the study of biological systems for more than 100 years, leading to 10 Nobel Prize winners in genetics, development, immunity, and circadian rhythm. This lecture will examine how fruit flies have contributed to our understanding of how chromosomes evolve through genome biology. The lecture will segue into a discussion of how direct-to-consumer DNA tests can help us understand our personal genealogical history.

The most important organism in human history is brewer's yeast, and the bountiful harvest we enjoy from this one species of fungi includes bread, beer, wine, and so much more. In this course we'll discuss the sugar-eating fungus (yeast) and why it produces the most controversial metabolite in history, alcohol. We'll discuss the history between humans and alcohol, from pre-historic times to that glass of rosé you enjoyed with dinner last evening, pausing to explain the techniques and how other plants/fungi are used to create your favorite libation. Here's to the rise of yeast, cheers!

In observance of the United States' 250th birthday, this course will discuss the 13 colonies' seven-year struggle for independence from Great Britain.

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.

Come and learn and maybe get a little messy! Making bread seems challenging to some, but anyone can make a good loaf to enjoy or share. Learn about the history of bread, tools and techniques, and the science and art of breadmaking, and take home the fruits of your labor.

Special notes: This course has a hands-on component. The complete experience will require some standing and working at a counter. The participant’s choice of attire should take into account that water, olive oil, and copious amounts of flour will be used. Please do not wear rings on fingers.

Kumihimo is an ancient and revered Japanese method of multi-strand braiding. Participants will choose one of several prepared kits to make a bracelet while learning about this art and the variety of possibilities it presents. Participants will start the braiding in the first session and complete it before the second session. In the second session, Meli will help participants turn the braid into a finished bracelet with a clasp or ties.

Special notes: Reading glasses or other close-up glasses are recommended.

Course fee includes $12 for supplies.

This two-session course is appropriate for beginner- and intermediate-level sewers and will cover the basics of using a sewing machine. In the first session, participants will select pieces for a patchwork pillow and sew them together to create a front cover for their pillow. In the second session, participants will add a back cover and fill their pillow with polyfill, completing it with just a little hand stitching.

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 $29 for supplies.

Come and partake in the abundance of greens to imprint cards for special occasions. Participants will use ink techniques to print with natural materials, creating beautiful impressions of the season.

Course fee includes $10 for supplies.

During this course, Diane will demonstrate how to make her award-winning baklava. Participants will sample her fare and leave with the recipe and the confidence to bake a tray at home.

Allergy alert: This baklava is made with walnuts.

During this course, Diane will demonstrate how to make her award-winning baklava. Participants will sample her fare and leave with the recipe and the confidence to bake a tray at home.

Allergy alert: This baklava is made with walnuts.

Estate planning covers more than what happens when you die. There are many matters to consider in addition to a standard will or trust, power of attorney and living will, or advanced directive. This course will discuss other steps you should be considering and provide some documentation to get you started.

Take a tour of the Piper Aviation Museum to learn about the history of Piper Aircraft Corporation and view memorabilia and 18 aircraft built at Piper Aircraft in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.

Special notes: The walk is a three sneaker activitiy level with substantial walking and standing, not all areas are accessible. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

Course fee includes $8 admission fee.

This course is a lecture and discussion about the Jewish garrison on the island of Elephantine in Egypt during the 6th–4th centuries BCE. We will survey and discuss both the archaeology and texts of this community, whose members built a temple to Yaho (the local form of the biblical name) but also worshiped other deities. No prior knowledge is necessary.

Register for all 4 of Jake Graham's courses in Cold War Spy School!

November 2, 1:30–3:00 p.m. — How to Be a Cold War Spy
November 9, 1:30–3:00 p.m. — Cold War Tradecraft
November 16, 1:30–3:00 p.m. — Cold War Communication
November 23, 1:30–3:00 p.m. — Deception

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?

Participants will choose their cupcake and filling flavors and decorate cupcakes. All tools, ingredients, and aprons are provided. Decorate using different buttercream techniques and top with fondant decorations and take home your delicious creations! Participants will be emailed prior to the course to select cupcake flavors.

Special notes: Participants should wear clothes that are easy move in, with sleeves that are easy to push up. Aprons will be provided, but there is the possibility that icing could get on clothes.

Course fee includes $20 for cupcake supplies.

Learn about America's Native heritage. The current states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah were home to advanced cultures that thrived in challenging landscapes long before Europeans arrived. The remains of extensive building projects, roads, and artwork allow us insights into their complex civilizations. We'll explore the rich history of the Southwest inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloan peoples whose descendants still live in the region. Through lots of photos and maps we will travel virtually to protected sites and possibly inspire you to make a physical journey someday.

As we age, we want to be sure to keep our brains sharp. Here’s our chance to be proactive. Brain challenges, both physical and mental, will keep our brains healthy as we age. Come participate in some exercises, either seated or standing, that challenge your brain and activities that exercise your memory and analytical skills. Since socialization is also an important factor in good brain health, finish up with free time to socialize and enjoy some brain-healthy snacks.

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.”

Penn State has the oldest licensed operating nuclear reactor in the United States. Enjoy a tour that includes walking through the facility, seeing the blue glow when the reactor is operating, learning about the gamma irradiation facility, and finding out how the reactor works, including its special safety features and its interesting history.

Special notes: Park at one of the campus visitor parking areas (pay for parking), such as the East Deck (15-minute walk), and walk to the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor. Two handicap parking spots are available on-site (please reserve in advance by calling the OLLI office). Photo ID (driver’s license or passport) and closed-toe shoes are required. Bags, purses, and communication devices (cell phones) must be stored in your car or inside the building in a designated area during the tour. No food or drink is allowed in laboratories. Participants will be standing for the duration of the tour.

 

In this course, Larry will focus on how to prepare for the big “what if” and prepare your records for your death. Larry will review wills, power of attorney, health proxy, titling beneficiaries, IRAs, annuities, etc. He’ll provide the mechanics for avoiding probate and explain how to develop instructions for heirs.

This course explores the techniques, methods and technology employed by intelligence operatives during the Cold War. This course is intended to be taught as the second course in sequence: How to be a Cold War Spy, Cold War Tradecraft, Cold War Communication, and Cold War Deception. It offers a practical, albeit brief, snapshot on the craft of espionage.

The course introduces key terms such as espionage, agent, and human intelligence. It then examines key operational elements including training, communication, movement, talent spotting and recruitment. It concludes with a caution—be wary of who you talk to.

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.

Create multilayered gelli prints that can be used for greeting cards or booklets using acrylic paints, leaves, ferns, grasses, and soft-textured materials.

Special note: Participants can collect their own leaves a few days or up to a couple weeks before the course. Place leaves or other plant material between pieces of newsprint or plain printing paper. Place under some heavy books. Instructors will bring leaves and plant material for participants to use.

Course fee includes $25 for supplies.

Women have played a significant and often groundbreaking role in the growth and development of Penn State. Take a historic look at the earliest women faculty, staff, and students at Penn State, their contributions, their achievements, and their influence on the nature and structure of the University.

Join us for an introduction to the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory and discover the different types of testing that are conducted to help identify, manage, and prevent pathogens, which can be responsible for causing disease in animals and people. Tour the facility and visit the different sections of the laboratory, including where necropsies are conducted on animal carcasses and where testing is done for diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, a.k.a. bird flu), Salmonella, and other infectious and contagious pathogens.

Special notes: Please be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants for the laboratory tour. Participants will be standing and touring the building for most of the course. Parking information will be shared prior to the course.

 

Croatia, on the eastern shore of the Adriatic, has been overlooked as a travel destination. Its beautiful, rugged coastline is dotted with old cities and quaint villages, some dating back 3,000 years. Croatia has been governed over the years by many cultures, giving it a very diverse history. The coastline has more than 1,200 islands, clear blue waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and pebbly beaches. The cuisine on the coast is like that of northern Italy. Inland, the influences are from Hungary, Austria, and Turkey. Photos and commentary will give you a sense of this interesting area.

Take a tour of the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority and learn about the basics of recycling in Centre County. A brief presentation will be followed by a tour of the recycling processing facility, transfer station, and interpretive center. There will be time for participants to ask questions at the end.

Special notes: Limited amount of walking and some standing.

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

Luis Alberto Sánchez, Peruvian author, lawyer, politician, and professor, carried on a voluminous correspondence with fellow Peruvian diplomat, lawyer, and journalist Manuel Seoane Corrales through nearly forty years of political and personal endeavors. The letters stand as a testament to the growth and development of these important political activists and to the temporal, cultural, and spatial milieu in which they are written. They present a multilayered portrait of aprismo that is not available in conventional histories of the party. This course will review selected letters and highlight themes that surfaced as the volatile political situation swirled around and between them.

Georgia O’Keeffe was already an established artist in New York City when she visited New Mexico in 1929. There she found “a place apart” that nourished both her love of nature and abstraction. The colors and forms of the landscape provided O’Keeffe with equivalents for her emotions, and she developed close affinities with places such as Plaza Blanca, the Bisti Badlands, and Pedernal. This course will focus on her southwestern landscapes, which she sometimes combined with flowers or bones.

In this hands-on course, participants will build confidence with the fundamentals of macramé before moving into a complete project. We will start by practicing six essential knots commonly used in modern macramé work. With those techniques in place, each participant will create a finished plant hanger designed to hold a provided 6-inch terracotta pot.

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.

This course explores Cold War spy communications. Designed as a companion to three other courses: How to Be a Cold War Spy, Cold War Tradecraft, and Deception, it offers a brief overview of the encrypted communication methods used during the Cold War.

The course introduces key terms such as cryptography, encryption, key, and decryption. Participants are introduced to the One Time Pad and guided through the process of encoding and decoding a simple message.

Thanksgiving will be November 26 in 2026. Why that date? What is Thanksgiving? When and where did it begin? Why do we eat turkey, cranberries, potatoes, squash, and pumpkin pie? What do you and your family do on Thanksgiving? How does football fit in? Let's look at this truly American holiday from the 1620s until now. This is not a cooking class, but recipes and samples will be provided.

Course fee includes $5 for food samples.

We're constantly bombarded with unsolicited and dangerous messages in various forms on our devices. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and cunning, making older adults their most vulnerable targets. Learn how to identify these invasive text messages, emails, and calls, and discover the right actions to take (and to avoid) in response. David will present real-life (and unsettling) examples and provide updates on the ongoing battle against these unscrupulous individuals. Whether you use an iPhone or Android device, a PC or Mac, join us for this engaging, fun, and informative session.

Local penmaker Todd Hawbaker presents a showcase of his handmade creations, detailing the intricate process of turning wood and hand-poured resin on a lathe. Todd will share his passion for fine writing instruments and how a bespoke pen can elevate the daily writing experience. More than just a craft, Todd believes handwritten communication—through letters or journaling—provides vital clarity to the human experience. Join us to explore the intersection of artistry and thought, including a discussion on various forms of creative writing and journaling practices.

Despite treason charges filed against thirty-some Confederates in high places, including Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, as well as thousands of indictments at the state level, no one in the Civil War hanged for waging war against the United States. The reason why involves a strange, twisting story that begins with the fears that secession would be proven constitutional and that ends in a fresh appreciation for how the framers crafted the Fourteenth Amendment to punish the Rebels.

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.

As wildfire smoke from distant fires increasingly affects Pennsylvania's air quality, understanding this emerging climate threat is critical. This course explores how wildfires generate smoke, how smoke travels thousands of miles to reach our region, and what smoke does to air quality and human health. Examine the recent smoke event when Philadelphia experienced some of the worst air quality in the world. Through interactive discussion, we'll explore who people trust for smoke information and how to build more effective communication pathways for future smoke events.

This course explores the terminology, techniques, and methods employed by intelligence agencies to plan and execute deception operations. It introduces the foundational concepts of deception and human cognition and explores man’s vulnerabilities to being deceived. The course discusses deceptive practices used by attackers and defenders, including technical and non-technical means. Deception is the fourth course in the OLLI sequence: How to be a Cold War Spy, Cold War Tradecraft, Cold War Communication, and Deception.

The Marshall Plan, named after Secretary of State and former Army Chief of Staff George Marshall, was largely responsible for rebuilding war-ravaged Europe after World War II. This course will discuss the details of the plan and its impact on Europe as the world edged into the Cold War.

Getting a good night's sleep on a regular basis is vital to health and well-being, but it doesn't always happen. Sleep medications are not necessarily the best option. This course will present information on sleep mechanics, sleep changes throughout life, and issues surrounding sleep deprivation. We will discuss some ways to improve sleep. These good habits are known as "sleep hygiene" because they represent scientific thinking about maintaining healthy sleep patterns. So, join this course to get your Z's on (pajamas optional)!

John Brown’s ill-fated 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry sent a handful of surviving raiders escaping northward along Underground Railroad pathways long traveled by Black freedom-seekers. This illustrated course follows Brown’s son Owen and his companions as they elude capture by scrambling “like hunted beasts” through the wilds of south-central Pennsylvania into Juniata, Huntingdon, and Centre Counties, hoping to reach Bellefonte and find refuge there among “our friends [the] Quakers, being great antislavery people.” Built around Owen Brown’s vivid reminiscences—including his accounts of stealthy visits to Quaker farms in the Kishacoquillas and Halfmoon Valleys—the course draws on historic maps, photographs, illustrations, and other firsthand testimony to recreate the turbulent cultural and geographic landscape of central Pennsylvania and particularly Centre County in the build-up to the Civil War.

This course will explore the reasons and science behind gluten-free diets and address common internet myths and misconceptions surrounding gluten and gluten-free eating.

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

Architects are tasked with designing spaces to accommodate people and the things they do within buildings. There are, however, buildings that benefit from containing spaces no one ever occupies. The Recreation Building, “Rec Hall,” on the University Park campus is such a building, and this helps to explain why it is so popular as a place to watch Penn State’s athletes compete.

The European hunger for spices coupled with the closure of land routes in the 15th century drove countries to dangerous oceanic voyages. This course tells the story of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailing for the Spanish Crown on the incredible first circumnavigation of the globe.

Why only have a festive wreath on your front door or above your mantle during the Christmas holiday season? We will use strips of felt to make a mini wreath, about 4 inches in diameter, and decorate it with pom-poms, pipe cleaners, and other embellishments.

Special notes: Please bring scissors to cut felt. Glue guns and glue sticks will be provided, but if you have a glue gun, feel free to bring it.

Course fee includes $5 for supplies.

Nearly 200 years after they were written, the works of Charles Dickens continue to attract the interest of movie makers, authors, political pundits, cartoonists, and artists, particularly around Christmas time. To discover why Dickens still speaks to us, participants will read and discuss A Christmas Carol and explore its continued relevance in US popular culture. Participants may purchase or borrow any version of the book in whatever format best suits them. No other book is required, but the instructor recommends The Man Who Invented Christmas to those who want to learn more.