In This Issue: A Message From the Director | Pack Your Parachute: Tech Tip of the Month | Spotlight Programs: David Pogue and Small but Mighty: The Wider World of Boise Theater | April Virtual Social Hours | 2021 Osher Faculty Grant Recipients | Osher-Sponsored Events | Other Upcoming Events

Dear Osher Members,

It is the time of year that a lot of planning occurs for preparation for the fall semester. To that end, you’ll be receiving a survey soon. I’d like to hear your thoughts on the Virtual Social Hour, guest passes, subscriptions to The Great Courses Plus, Osher programs, presenters, and any suggestions you would like to offer us.

This month, we are hosting two special guests at the Virtual Social Hour who you likely know! On April 7, we will hear from Carole Skinner of The Flicks about what’s happening at the theater. Then on April 21, Jessica Ires Morris, Adjunct Faculty of Theater at Boise State, will be with us to say hello and discuss her upcoming Osher course, Small but Mighty: The Wider World of Boise Theater (spotlighted below). I hope you’ll join us for both sessions.

Finally, I want to thank the Osher members who responded to our call for volunteers to serve on Curriculum Committees! We could not do this work without the great support and work of the committees, but several members are nearing completion of their terms. These committees are made up of all Osher members. So many of the wonderful classes we enjoy each semester are because of their work. Interested? Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form and let us know which committee holds the most interest for you. (Details on the form.)

Warm regards,

Dana

Dana Thorp Patterson, Director

We want to pack your parachute! As a way of showing our appreciation for the support of our Osher members, the Osher staff will be answering common questions and providing helpful tips on various topics.

If you are a new member and have not used Zoom before, or if you would just like a refresher, here is our question to you:

There's still time to register for our special event with author and "CBS News Sunday Morning" correspondent, David Pogue! He will join us to discuss his career and his most recent book, How to Prepare for Climate Change.

Date and time: Thu., Apr. 8, 10-11 a.m.

Cost: $20

To register for this special event by Monday, April 5, visit the Osher Registration website or call Customer Services at

(208) 426-1709.

Boise has a host of exciting, talented, and diverse theater companies bridging the gap between student/community work and "professional" theater, including The Boise Bard Players, Home Grown Theatre, Alley Rep, and Opal Theatre Company.

Structured with a series of of one-hour interviews with artists from each company, this course will offer a sample of exciting work, missions, and unique qualities that these vibrant small theater companies bring to Boise.

Presenter: Jessica Ires Morris, Adjunct Faculty of Theater, Boise State University

Dates and times: Mon., May 3, 10, 17, and 24, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Cost: $45

To register for this course, visit the Osher Registration website or call Customer Services at (208) 426-1709.

Grab a beverage and join us for an Osher Virtual Social Hour on Zoom! Our purpose is to connect with you and Osher members while providing an opportunity to connect with one another. We will also give updates on Osher activities and meet a special guest.

The social hours will be held from 12-1 p.m. on Wednesdays, April 7 and April 21. An email with the link to join will be sent out the day before the meeting date.

If you need assistance joining the Zoom meeting, please contact the Osher office at

(208) 426-6554.

Established in 2011 by the Osher Institute Advisory Board, the Osher Faculty Grant has awarded over $151,000 to fund Boise State faculty research projects. The grant supports Boise State faculty and raises awareness of the Osher Institute within the University. Annual member contributions to the Osher Excellence Fund make the grant possible.

The 2021 Osher Faculty Grant recipients are:

This project will beta test an augmented reality (AR) experience that will promote better science content learning and improved comprehension skills for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through an engaging, interactive AR app, students will play the role of field researcher and complete observation records that are designed to teach them general comprehension strategies and science concepts.

This project will uncover and share the roles LGBTQ+ Idahoans have played in Idaho’s development which, heretofore, have remained largely invisible. Research will be utilized in the LGBT Collection of Boise State’s Special Collections and Archives (SCA), resulting in a series of articles on LGBTQ+ history in Idaho.

"Letting Loose the Hounds: A Film Adaptation"

In 2010, Boise State Professor Brady Udall published a collection of short stories entitled Letting Loose the Hounds. This project will adapt the story as a screenplay for an independent film, which will utilize local actors, production personnel, and exhibitors, and will be used as a case study to illustrate interdisciplinary filmmaking.

Congratulations to these Boise State faculty! Our thanks go to the Faculty Grant Committee for reviewing the 2021 grant applications, and to our members for contributing to the Osher Excellence Fund. The Osher Faculty Grant would not be possible without your generosity.

"Seeing the Dark Side of the Universe Through Cosmic Lenses"

Dr. Ami Choi, Department of Physics, Ohio State University

Friday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m.

To join the livestream: http://www.astrojack.com/ffa-cosmic-lenses/

"What Does the Earth Ask of Us?"

Robin Wall Kimmerer, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology and tribal member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation

To register, email ideaofnature@boisestate.edu.

The Osher Institute has 24 bookplates signed by Robin! If you would like to claim a bookplate, please email osher@boisestate.edu and we can mail one to you.

Jim Jones, JD, retired Chief Justice, Idaho Supreme Court and Gary Moncrief, retired University Distinguished Professor, Boise State University

For more information and to register, click here.

24th annual festival featuring performances by jazz artists from around the country

For more information and to view the Festival channel, click here.

Seth Blumsack, Professor of Energy and Environmental Economics and Internal Affairs, Pennsylvania State University

For more information and to register, click here.

Be sure to visit our Osher on Demand website for a variety of online resources, including curated articles, community programs, TED talks, lectures from Osher presenters across the country, recipes from Osher members, and much more!

Our thanks for the continued support from our Community Sponsors and Partners:

Chair: Merilee Marsh | Past Chair: Ben Simko | Cindy Anson | Ralph Bild | Russ Centanni

Director: Dana Thorp Patterson | Program Coordinator: Laura Mehlhaff

Communications Specialist: Jill Chmelko | Administrative Assistant: Jeremy Trent