“I’m looking forward to the new semester. Wish it could be in person, but glad we get a chance to continue exercising our brains, if not our social muscles.”
- M. Smith, Wonderlust Member
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Upcoming Programs To Explore
The MSU Wonderlust volunteer Curriculum and Side Trip Committee's have assembled a diverse and engaging array of online offerings this semester. We think you will enjoy our top-notch instructors and program line up. Participants in our first week of classes sure did!
With online programming, you can learn safely and conveniently, save time and fuel, and even avoid upcoming winter driving. Interested in a course, but the day/time does not work for you? Not a worry! Enroll in a course and view the recording at your convenience. Below is a sampling of upcoming programs.
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Course: The Living Art of Bonsai
September 30, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This short course will examine the history, design and cultivation of bonsai trees. Learn how a tree and a container are combined to create a “bonsai.” By following the evolution of bonsai methods from China, through Japan, to the USA, students will understand how the principles of design, characteristics of tree species, selection of pots and horticultural methods are used in the creation of living works of art.
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Course: What We Can Learn from the Fall of Rome
Begins October 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This course will illustrate the contrast between the Roman Empire at its zenith in the second century and at its nadir in the fifth century, allowing participants to see this tremendous collapse. Hundreds of causes have been proposed to explain the “fall of Rome.” The course will examine these many explanations including environmental change and disease; economic, political and religious factors; endemic civil war; and impact of the so-called “barbarian invasions.”
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Course: The Five Senses
Begins October 19, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This course will take an interdisciplinary approach to better understanding the functions and perception of our five senses; crossing the boundaries between psychology, biology, and engineering. The sensory stimulations coming "into" us get constructed into meaningful visual, auditory, etc., experiences, based not only on the sensory input but on the context, our expectations, our past experience, our current mood, and so forth. What does it mean to "perceive" the environment? What kinds of problems must the brain solve to make perception possible? What is the link between the perceptual appearance of things and brain activity?
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Community Events
in Collaboration with Belgrade Community Library
These events are free, hosted and presented via Zoom by BCL
September 17, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Ayurveda is a system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Presenter Leviyah Kern will describe the ancient traditions of Indian medicine, how the Wise Ones (Rishis) viewed the world through the five elements of life, how this medicine came to the far reaches of the world through travel and trade.
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Side Trip Lecture Series Begins...A Journey of the Mind
Mondays, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free for MSU Wonderlust members
Chronic Wasting Disease in Montana
September 14
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal disease affecting deer, elk and moose, was first detected in Montana in 2017. By 2019, ecologists with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) had detected the disease across much of the state. Emily Almberg, disease ecologist with FWP, will discuss the biology of CWD, its impacts on our wild deer, elk and moose populations, and Montana’s efforts to monitor and manage the disease. Despite the news that CWD is more widespread than anticipated, there are ways to keep our wild herds healthy. Learn what you can do to help. Register and learn more here
The Challenges of Supersonic Flight
September 21
Remember the Concorde? This supersonic airliner is long retired, but engineers are revisiting the prospects of high-speed air transportation. In this talk, Tony Demetriades, Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MSU, will popularize some of the formidable obstacles to supersonic flight, including deafening sonic booms, the forbiddingly extreme temperatures generated on hypervelocity airplanes and missiles, and the connection between supersonic motion and shock waves. Read more and register here
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Thank You!
Our first ever online semester reception was a big success. Thank you to our fantastic and thought-provoking keynote speaker, Raymond D. Strother, for helping to kick off this semi-annual event.
Our gratitude also goes out to our volunteer Advisory Council members Dick Young, Doug Young and Mark Rosolowsky for your fine facilitation skills. Door prizes were donated by Sara and Jeff King and Jerry Geise. And finally, thanks to all our great instructors who took the time to introduce themselves and their upcoming MSU Wonderlust courses.
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MSU Wonderlust Book Discussion Groups
These special interest groups are free for MSU Wonderlust members. Book Groups offer lively and engaging facilitated discussions for all readers and interests. Check our website for meeting day/times/links and book lists. Log-in and call-in information will be shared upon registration.
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September 17
“In the Woods”
by Tana French
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
(Webex)
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September 21
“Lafayette in the Somewhat United States” by Sarah Vowell
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (Zoom)
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October 5
"Nights at the Circus” by Angela Carter
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. (Zoom)
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Webex 'How To' Resources
How to join a Webex event or class (aka 'meeting') - LINK
Webex Common Troubleshooting Tips - LINK
Best practices for online meetings and learning (read #1,5,6,9,10,11) - LINK
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COVID-19 Updates and Resources
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MSU Wonderlust, a program of MSU Academic Technology and Outreach, provides intellectually stimulating and enjoyable programs that foster lifelong learning and community engagement for individuals 50 and greater. There are no tests, no grades and no papers. MSU Wonderlust offers learning opportunities for the pure joy of learning. Become a member or consider teaching for us.
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