OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / FRIDAY WEBINARS

Magic Mushrooms

9/22

9:30–11 AM

This webinar examines the properties of psilocybin mushrooms, the history of their use, and new state laws being enacted. We will look at current clinical trials using psilocybin for mental health applications.

Speaker

Colleen Jorgensen is a retired college faculty and administrator. She now has time to pursue some of those paths not taken including the study of mycology. She has facilitated several STEM OLLI classes including, “There is a Fungus Among Us.”

Ancient Skywatchers: Keeping Time

9/29

9:30–11 AM

Humans around the world and throughout history have observed the sky, interpreting, and using what they saw in practical, political and spiritual ways. In this seminar, we will explore how ancient people perceived and regulated time using observations of the moon, sun, and stars. Our journey will take us across millennia and around the world, from paleolithic caves to ancient Egypt and Greece, from Stonehenge to China and the New World. We’ll end in modern times, contemplating how astronomy has expanded our concept of time to cosmic scales. Stop looking down at your watches- keeping time starts by looking up!

Speaker

Dr. Erica Ellingson has degrees in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Astrophysics from the University of Arizona and has recently retired from her faculty position in the Dept. of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado. Her research on dark matter, cosmology and galaxy evolution involves telescopes large and small, terrestrial and in space, and at many wavelengths. She is also active in the field of archaeoastronomy, serves as an educational consultant for the National Park Service and is an editor for the Journal of Skyscape Archaeology.

Bloom to Bloom: Journey of coffee from farm to cup

10/6

9:30–11 AM

Join in the extraordinary journey coffee takes from the farm, to everything that happens inbetween, before being served that beautiful cup of coffee. We will go over some history of coffee and cafe culture.

Speaker

Miguel Vicuña is the Assistant Green Buyer and Catador for Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters. He has 20 years of experience in the coffee industry and has held many positions and volunteers quite a bit within the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

The Signatures of Space and Time: Archeology in Colorado

10/13

9:30–11 AM

Anthropology, which archeology is a subdiscipline of, is often described as the most scientific of the humanities and the most humanistic of the sciences. More specifically, archeology is a science that opens portals to the past that allows us to understand the behavior of the humans who were here long before Colorado was ever established. This understanding is made possible through not just archeology, but through earth sciences, chemistry, and physics as well. It is these tools that allow us to see deep in time and understand the human story of our beloved state. In this course, Jack Wheeler explores the major cultures and time periods of Colorado Prehistory, the lines of evidence that inform our understanding, and what archeological practice is like in Colorado today. This course provides an overview of Colorado prehistory and the methods used in archeology to understand the human story of Colorado.

Speaker

Jack Wheeler is a fourth-generation Coloradan. He is an alumnus of Colorado State University and is trained in Anthropology, Business, and Environmental Science. He is also a local historian on railroads and has given talks, presentations, facilitated programs for numerous national and local organizations — National Railway Historical Society, History Colorado, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Treasure Box Tours.

The Global Scramble for Natural Resources: Its Potential Impact on the United States

10/20

9:30–11 AM

Because the world’s mineral and energy resources are being strained to supply rapidly expanding economies, the price of nearly every natural-resource commodity dramatically escalated beginning in 2003. Not only did the price of commodities increase, but the competition to simply obtain a share of these natural resources became intense. From cement, to petroleum, to fertilizer, to strategic metals; the scramble for a piece of the worldwide pie is in a state the world has never known. The U.S. is being, and will be, significantly affected by this new world disorder—particularly as the world attempts a conversion to alternative energy technologies.

Speaker

Dr. Vince Matthews served in the Senior Executive Service of Colorado’s state government as Director of the Colorado Geological Survey from which he retired in 2013. He taught at eight institutions of higher education and served as an executive in four publicly held, natural-resource companies. He presented invited keynote addresses on this topic to the annual meetings of nine professional societies, as well as to Congressional and White House staffers and the Colorado Legislature.

Beyond Dinosaurs: Paleozoic & Cenozoic Colorado

10/27

9:30–11 AM

Colorado was inhabited by a mind-boggling array of extinct fauna and flora. Moving beyond Tyrannosaurus and kin, the life before and after dinosaurs proves to be equally fascinating. This talk explores the changing life and landscapes of the Centennial State before and after the Age of Dinosaurs: geological eras known as the Paleozoic and Cenozoic.

Speaker

An advocate for fossil preservation and institutional collaboration, Matthew T. Mossbrucker is the director and chief curator of the Morrison Natural History Museum in Morrison, Colorado. Through his tenure he focused the museum to preserve local paleontological heritage which offers informal public programs that interpret Colorado’s dinosaurs supported by original research. Mossbrucker also serves as the Curator of Paleontology of the Glenrock Paleontological Museum in Glenrock, Wyoming where he is actively working on a large section of the Lance Formation alongside public groups. He serves on boards for the Morrison Natural History Museum Foundation, Glenrock Paleontological Museum, and the scientific advisory board for the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge. A lifelong Colorado resident, Mossbrucker lives in Jefferson County.

Bugging Out: Understanding the Impact of Insect Loss on Our Ecosystem

11/3

9:30–11 AM

There are 10-30 million species of insects worldwide and they are responsible for numerous ecological functions, including pollination, soil health, and nutrient recycling. However, their populations are declining rapidly, which could have severe consequences for our environment. Through this class, you will gain a deep understanding of the many ways in which insects contribute to our ecosystem, as well as the causes and effects of their decline. This is a must-attend class for everyone who wants to explore the fascinating world of insects and learn about potential solutions for preserving their populations.

Speaker

Megan Schulz is the Adult Programs Coordinator at Butterfly Pavilion, with a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University and a pursuit of a Master’s degree in the Arts of Biology through Miami University’s Project Dragonfly. Megan is known as the “bug lady” and is dedicated to exploring the relationships between all living and non-living entities and promoting their conservation for future generations. She looks forward to engaging in a collective learning experience with all.