Columbine United Church, Littleton   

The current telescopes exploring the universe are revolutionizing our understanding. These modern space and ground-based telescopes are essential tools for exploring the cosmos, enabling us to study galaxies, stars, planets, and cosmic phenomena. We are acquiring new perspectives on such things as the early galaxies, exoplanet atmospheres (with the potential presence of life beyond Earth), the mystery of Dark Energy, and the nature of the cosmic expansion. This class will examine the many telescopes, current and future, including the Chandra Xray Observatory (imaging Black Holes, Galaxy Clusters, Dark Matter.) the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (Detecting exoplanets by observing stellar transits), the Euclid Telescope (Mapping dark matter and dark energy), the SPHEREx (launched March 2025) to study the Galaxies, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (to be launched May 2027) to study Dark Energy, exoplanets, and stellar Evolution. All of these incredible tools are designed to bring more clarity and understanding to the cosmos, our home.

The newest telescopes are revolutionizing scientists’ understanding of space. These space-based and ground-based telescopes are essential tools for exploring the cosmos, enabling us to study galaxies, stars, planets, and cosmic phenomena. The James Webb Space Telescope has greatly expanded our understanding of the universe’s origins and structure. We are acquiring new perspectives on such things as the early galaxies, exoplanet atmospheres, the mystery of dark energy, and cosmic expansion.

In this class we will examine the many space telescopes, including the Chandra Xray Observatory (imaging black holes, galaxy clusters, dark matter); the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (detecting exoplanets by observing stellar transits); the Euclid Telescope (mapping dark matter and dark energy); the SPHEREx to study the galaxies; and the anticipated Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (to study dark energy, exoplanets, and stellar evolution). All of these incredible tools should bring greater clarity and understanding to the cosmos, our home.

This speaker series course will explore how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming various aspects of life and work, from how we access, process, and interact with information, to how learning experiences are being transformed, illnesses diagnosed, and tasks and jobs automated. We will talk about right now, not about the future or theory. Bring your curiosity and questions. A background in IT or previous knowledge is not required.

Week 1: September 16, 2025 What is Artificial Intelligence(AI)? An overview of how it developed and how generative AI is changing our everyday lives. Can AI think, does it hallucinate? Speaker: Pat Smith

Week 2: September 23, 2025 Artificial intelligence is changing transportation from self-driving cars to drone delivery. Speaker: Ron Knox

Week 3: September 30, 2025 How artificial intelligence and machine learning is transforming health care. Speaker: Casey Greene, Ph.D., CU Medical School, Chairman of the Department of Biomedical Informatics

Week 4: October 7, 2025 How is AI changing the education landscape? How are we preparing future military leaders to use AI? ChatGPT is now being licensed by schools and colleges and changing how students take tests, write papers and do research. Speaker: Eric Tucker, Associate Professor in the Management Department at the United States Air Force Academy

Week 5: October 14, 2025 Drones with artificial intelligence are literally changing geopolitical warfare. The latest on drones and AI in the military. Speaker: Bill Gernert

Week 6: October 21, 2025 Field trip to Arapahoe Community College to learn how AI is being used in clinical programs and a live demonstration of the Anatomage table, a 3D virtual cadaver system. Speaker: Lexi Gaines, PT, DPT, Faculty, Director of Clinical Education Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Week 7: October 28, 2025 Bits and pieces - a potpourri of amazing ways AI is being used including its use in detecting brain tumors, dementia, and breast cancer risk. Plus how AI is cutting down on construction waste and improving farming. Speaker: Jan Friedlander

Did you know that Ray Bradbury, author of “Fahrenheit 451” and “Dandelion Wine”, was also a prolific short story writer? This class will explore the literary breadth of Ray Bradbury’s work.

What do Bradbury’s stories tell us reveal about life in small-town or big-city America? Who are we as a people? Do we ever learn the lessons the universe is so desperate to teach us? Bradbury knows and he brings the harsh reality of humanity home.

This class will explore Ray Bradbury’s magical youth and learn about the challenges of becoming a writer. We will read excerpts from his fictional memoir, “Dandelion Wine”, and watch videos of his short stories after reading them. His life defined his talent and his imagination threw open doors to both the past and the future.

The class will rely on three main concepts: readings, videos, and discussion.

Recommended: Any of Bradbury Short Story Collections

Have you admired from afar the beauty and art of your grandmother’s quilts? Have you wanted to learn how to quilt? If so, then this class is for you! You will learn the following quilting skills/techniques/processes(?):

• How to read a pattern.
• How to choose, prepare, & cut the fabric.
• How to build and assemble quilt blocks.
• How to add a border.
• How to prepare the quilt for the quilting process.
• Preparing and sewing the binding to your quilt

In addition, you will learn about the supplies needed to re-create your grandmother’s quilt! Please note that not all the steps will be completed during class time, so you will have relaxing work to finish at home.

For those who know they want to do quilting and invest in the tools, you will need the following items at a minimum:

• 18”x24” or 24”x36” cutting mat. (I recommend the larger size)
• 24 1/2” x 6 1/2” ruler and 8 1/2” square ruler
• Rotary cutter (either 45mm or 60mm)

The above items will cost approximately $100 - $150.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS CLASS TO FIND OUT IF YOU LIKE QUILTING, I CAN PROVIDE LESS EXPENSIVE OPTIONS.

You will need to purchase about 31/2 yards of fabric that will cost $35-$60. DO NOT PURCHASE FABRIC UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST CLASS.

Bring to class: Sewing machine in good working order, Manual for the sewing machine, Thread - white for piecing, Scissors, Straight pins. Additional tools and materials will be addressed in class.

This course will explore the development of maps and navigation through history. Advancements in the art and technology of cartography allowed our forebears to move from a world defined by their local surroundings to oceanic exploration and on to global commerce. The course will begin with the ancient Babylonians and their study of the motion of the stars and the planets. We will progress through time -- exploring the Greeks, discussing the “Search for Longitude,” and ending with the modern age of digital maps and satellite navigation.

Along our journey of videos and facilitator presentations, we will look at individuals who were key to advancing the expertise involved in maps and navigation. We will also examine some of the explorers and surveyors who expanded the knowledge of our world. Finally, we will look at some of the errors, frauds, and geographical misconceptions that have arisen over the years.

This class will be a non-partisan discussion of current events that values diverse points of view. The first hour will be a look at the news of the week, with an eye towards independent/alternative news sources. Hour two will be a deeper examination of a single topic, chosen by the facilitator with input from the group. The class will be provided background information on the topic prior to the session which could include articles, videos, or podcasts.

Do you want to advance and expand your use of AI?

In 2023, Google released Gemini 2.5 with a powerful research application called NotebookLM.

This class will explore the 4 Best NotebookLM and AI Prompt Practices: 1) Target Your AI Questions, 2) Analyze Multiple Input Documents, 3) Generate Summaries, 4)Translate to Audio Overview of your NotebookLM research.

By using NotebookLM and AI prompts of Gemini, means you can upload multiple documents, have NotebookLM analyze them, and check for contextual connections between documents relevant to your question. NotebookLM will then generate useful cited source responses to your question. One great feature is NotebookLM can translate the response summary to an audio overview.

Learn by doing: You will do your own research with NotebookLM using your laptop. You will learn how to ask questions about complex information and get thoughtful, cited responses to your research questions. Members should bring their own laptop to class.

No Class 9/23

There have been all kinds of leaders in our world. Some led their sports teams to world championships. Others built great corporations and dominated markets. Still others built large armies and attacked their neighbors, accumulating power along the way. These leaders tended to gain a lot of notoriety and large fortunes.

But still others like Gandhi, King, and Mandela chose to lead their oppressed peoples against seemingly invincible power in search of justice and freedom. Rather than earning great wealth, they were imprisoned and in two cases assassinated. Why did they do that?

This course will explore several important questions. What was in their makeups and in their backgrounds that led them to lead their oppressed peoples in a fight for justice and freedom? What “magic” did they have that led them to harness the support of their peoples? What unique strategies did they use to win against superior power?

And finally what have been the long-term outcomes of their heroic efforts? What can we learn about leadership from these men?

The eight weeks of classes will consist of some lecture, some videos, and lots of discussion.

This class will explore the post WWII or Cold War development of nuclear weapons and manned delivery systems and their cultural influence. We will examine the doctrine of strategic use of nuclear weapons and the various international incidents that heightened the threat of atomic weapon use.

How did the US respond to this growing, ever-present threat? We will reveal the political and military infighting in the late '40s that resulted in the creation of the USAF and the Strategic Air Command (SAC). We will study the effectiveness of civil defense measures instituted in the 1950s and explain the significant nuclear accidents during this time frame.

After exploring these topics, we will grapple with the cultural influence of the USA’s political and military responses to nuclear weapons. The class will watch the Cold War thriller, “Fail Safe” and the satirical black comedy, “Dr. Strangelove.” After viewing each film, we will discuss the background and stories of each and analyze their societal impact.

We will examine – through video, readings, and discussion – those in German society who stood against Hitler and the Nazi party. These groups acted and spoke out to free Germany from oppression despite threats of incarceration or death. Germans from religious groups, journalism, the arts, universities, youth groups, and populations of occupied countries all took part in this dangerous, but necessary, resistance. We will also review the successes of these various resisting groups.

Far from being the quiet participants in the Nazi terror, entire sections of German society rose up against the Hitler government. Resistance also bloomed in occupied countries, including France, Poland, Norway and Czechoslovakia.

Join Greg in exploring the history of resistance in this significant era.

RECOMMENDED: RESISTANCE, DIETRICH BONHOEFFER,  VALKYRIE, THEY FOUGHT BACK, MAQUIS

Are you curious about how the financial markets work, and how investment advisors make their decisions? This six-week course will provide interactive discussions and structured lessons offering a broad overview of investment options and strategies tailored for retirement. We’ll discuss risk and volatility, portfolio diversification, and economic trends, with a focus on understanding how registered investment advisors (RIA) operate. Participants will learn how to use investment analysis tools and techniques for managing risk and volatility; by the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of financial investment strategies and be equipped to collaborate with financial planners and advisors confidently.

Retirement brings opportunities and challenges in investing, from managing upcoming changes from the SEC, utilizing required minimum distributions (RMDs), generating recurring income, to minimizing volatility, risk and taxes. Whether you want to optimize your retirement accounts or simply grasp the principles behind investment decisions, this course is for you.

Required: How NOT to Invest by Barry Ritholtz (eBook will be provided for each student after the first class).  Must be proficient with using a computer and basic software applications.

Michael Pollan, one of the most trusted food experts in America, demonstrates the relationship between people and domesticated plants in this PBS series. Learn how Pollan has linked four fundamental human desires – sweetness, beauty, control and intoxication – with plants that satisfy those needs. The stories of the apple, the tulip, the potato and cannabis illustrate how plants have evolved to satisfy humankind’s most basic yearnings. This 4-week class is loosely based on the series and will feature lively discussion.

History is filled with unbelievable stories that will astonish and make you shake your head in wonder and lead you to unexpected discoveries. This class is based on a series of books written by Rick Beyer in conjunction with the History Channel, as well as other carefully researched sources.

Each week will focus on stories from a different genre: music, sports, war, presidents, animals, science and miscellaneous.

You will hear about:

• Animal residents of the White House, from rats to alligators to hyenas and snakes.
• The “Candy Bomber” who, during the Cold War Berlin Airlift, dropped candy for the children trapped in Berlin.
• Two of Shakespeare’s friends who spent 7 years, after his death, to finally get his works published in the First Folio.
• Willy the Whale in London’s River Thames and sharks in the Hudson in NYC.
• How beer and a board game called Senet helped build the Egyptian pyramids.

Come hear these and other stories that seldom make the history books or the nightly news!

Ever wondered if sci-fi gets it right? You’ll explore how iconic, highly rated films foresee social shifts and tech breakthroughs. While screening classic and current versions, we'll dissect cinematic prophecies and their surprising real-world echoes.

“A Trip to the Moon” (1902) propels us into space, “Terminator” (1984) and “Minority Report” (2002) examine AI's rise, dystopian societies, gadget predictions, surveillance, and bio-tech ethics. Discover how these movies and others reflect our anxieties and shape our tomorrows.

Get ready for lively chats and a fresh perspective from eight provocative science fiction stories. Through select film screenings, weekly readings and discussions, we will explore the intersection of film, technology, culture, the world to come and perhaps our current chaos.

This class examines the pivotal year of 1945 in global history as a new world emerged from the ruins of World War II. One world had ended, and a new, uncertain one began. Regime changes occurred on a global scale. Asia and continental Europe experienced dramatic disruptions. Out of the often vicious power struggles that ensued, the modern world as we know it emerged. Devastated cities were transformed; the liberated celebrated; scores were settled; people starved; justice was and was not meted out; soldiers and refugees returned home; suffering ended, or continued, or began anew. In human terms, the scale of transformation is almost impossible to imagine.

Discussion topics include:

• --The nation-state and the rule of law
• --Similarities and differences in the events of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia
• --Ethnicity and tribalism
• --Ethnic-cleansing
• --Treatment of refugees, of immigrants, of emigrants
• --The allies and the Holocaust
• --Civil society and the rogue nation state
• --Revenge, retribution, nationalism

Recommended:  Year Zero, A History of 1945 by Ian Buruma