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- Diseases That Change History
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Fee: $30.00
Dates: 9/23/2025 - 11/25/2025
Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 10
Building: BCTC
Room: M-122
Instructor: Ken Scher
Maximum Enrollment: 40
Present discussions of some infections that afflict mankind and have significantly altered the course of human history.
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- Energy in Our Past, Present and Future - How it Affects our Lives and Environment (Hybrid)
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Maximum Enrollment: 40
The U.S.A. allows private parties to own mineral rights, allowing many of its citizens to benefit directly when oil and natural gas are produced from their lands. In addition, the energy supply chains that produce, process and deliver hydrocarbon fuels to end users employ more people on a permanent basis than comparable supply chains for certain types of renewable energy. Thus, how we elect to satisfy our energy needs affects both the number of people we employ and the nature of those jobs. On the other hand, the detrimental environmental effects of hydrocarbon fuels are well-documented and cannot be ignored. Our diverse energy needs can only be met using all currently available sources and technologies, as well as likely additional future ones. This class will provide an overview of the entire mix of energy sources and uses. It will address the economics of the energy industry and its environmental effects. There will be a discussion of how a network of civil laws and state and federal regulations promotes a balance between public interest and the rights of land and mineral rights owners. Finally, the wide reach of public and private sector energy research will be examined.
No class October 7
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- Energy in Our Past, Present and Future - How it Affects our Lives and Environment (Hybrid) Zoom Only
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Fee: $30.00
Dates: 9/9/2025 - 11/4/2025
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 8
Building: ZOOM
Room: Online Only
Instructor: Rick Elliott
Maximum Enrollment: 10
The U.S.A. allows private parties to own mineral rights, allowing many of its citizens to benefit directly when oil and natural gas are produced from their lands. In addition, the energy supply chains that produce, process and deliver hydrocarbon fuels to end users employ more people on a permanent basis than comparable supply chains for certain types of renewable energy. Thus, how we elect to satisfy our energy needs affects both the number of people we employ and the nature of those jobs. On the other hand, the detrimental environmental effects of hydrocarbon fuels are well-documented and cannot be ignored. Our diverse energy needs can only be met using all currently available sources and technologies, as well as likely additional future ones. This class will provide an overview of the entire mix of energy sources and uses. It will address the economics of the energy industry and its environmental effects. There will be a discussion of how a network of civil laws and state and federal regulations promotes a balance between public interest and the rights of land and mineral rights owners. Finally, the wide reach of public and private sector energy research will be examined.
No class October 7
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- Gettin' Old Sux! (or does it??)
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Maximum Enrollment: 35
We are all in the process of “getting older” (no matter how old we are). This course will begin by talking about our attitudes related to aging. Then we’ll discuss the biological basis of the normal changes that occur with age, ways we can adapt to these changes, and when to be concerned that they are outside the norm. We’ll definitely take time to talk (and laugh!) with each other about our experiences. (We even have a class song . . .) If other topics related to aging come up during the class there may be a “part 2” at a later time to discuss them. Are you old enough to participate?
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- Medical Marijuana 101
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Maximum Enrollment: 35
Medical marijuana became legal in Kentucky on January 1, 2025. This class will begin with definitions of terms related to marijuana. We’ll briefly review current evidence for medical use of cannabis and recent reports about its side effects. Then we’ll go over current Kentucky regulations and procedures for use of medical marijuana, including eligible medical conditions and the process of getting an ID card. The class will conclude with a discussion of issues associated with “driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC).”
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- Rockhounds - Ancient Kentucky Environments SIG
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Fee: $0.00
Dates: 10/7/2025 - 10/28/2025
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 4
Building: TBD
Room:
Instructor: Dan Phelps, Anna Watson
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Kentucky has a fossil record going back 450 million years and a geologic record going back billions of years. This class will explore Kentucky’s geological history and show how earth scientists interpret ancient environments and paleoecology. There will be 4 lectures and fossil collecting trip that will include a trip to the Falls of the Ohio Museum and Visitor’s Center.
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- Science Matters Zoom Only
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Fee: $30.00
Dates: 9/19/2025 - 10/24/2025
Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Days: F
Sessions: 6
Building: ZOOM
Room: Online Only
Instructor: Multiple UK Professors
Maximum Enrollment: 35
"Science Matters" will be taught by professors from departments of Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Immunology, at UK, Transylvania, and BCTC. Previous topics taught by others are: Burnt scrolls, Aging eyes, Viruses, Macular Degeneration, Planets and Stars, Black Holes etc. This semester, topics will be a surprise! but informative, interesting, and stimulating. Hope to snare an "AI" person to discuss how it is used.
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- The Atoms Family
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Maximum Enrollment: 35
I know – chemistry?? – UGH! But chemicals play a crucial role in our world, both positive and negative. We’ll talk about some substances in recent news and explain the chemistry behind their importance as well as discuss current events related to the chemicals. Examples of topics could include rare earth elements (US deal with Ukraine); lithium (why it’s important); PFAS (“forever chemicals”); microplastics (they’re in your brain); and what the energy demands of AI have to do with a renewed interest in nuclear power. We may also discuss other chemicals the class is interested in.
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- The History of Earth and Life
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Maximum Enrollment: 30
Examines the history of earth and life from the Precambrian (beginning 4.55 billion years ago) to the start of the Anthropocene. This class will look at everything from meteorites and the early solar system to trilobites to dinosaurs and will end with human evolution and climate change. The class will cover historical geology with an emphasis on life of the past as understood by paleontologists and earth scientists. There will be an optional trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center during (or at the end of ) the semester.
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- The Near-Death Experience: Examining What is Known
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Maximum Enrollment: 25
Since Raymond Moody's book, Life After Life (1976), was published many other books and hundreds of professional journal articles have appeared in print on the topic of neardeath experiences. Scientists, physicians, and others have explained the phenomenon in terms of anoxia, the influence of medications, or a maneuver of dying brains to distract us from a rapid approaching death. On the other hand, clergy, other professionals, and common people have related remarkable stories about their near-death episodes. This course will explore the phenomenon in terms of examining historic and current research with PowerPoint presentations, lectures, and discussion.
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- Who Cares? Reading Frans de Waal's "Mama's Last Hug" SIG
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Maximum Enrollment: 20
Have you wondered whether animals care about their lives? What implications would such feelings have for us humans? De Waal’s book on the topic, Mama’s Last Hug, begins with a farewell embrace between Mama, a dying female chimpanzee, and Jan van Hooff, the biologist who had worked with her for 40 years. With that scene, de Waal starts to make the case for animal caring. From apes to zebras, he discovers that animals can detest and delight, love and leave, laugh at each other, console and mourn for themselves and members of other animal species. If you are now feeling curious, then you might be interested in reading and discussing de Waal’s book with other, equally thoughtful and mature members of our species.
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