WHAT’S THE WORLD MADE OF: FROM QUARKS TO THE COSMOS

Tuesday, May 5
10:00 a.m. at GCC
Program #18250

Fee: $3

Presenter: Charles Baltay, Ph.D.

Dr. Baltay holds a Ph.D. in physics from Yale University. He is the Eugene Higgins Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at Yale. Professor Baltay explores fundamental issues in particle and nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology with a particular focus on the nature of dark energy.

Program: Quarks are the fundamental building blocks of the universe. Dr. Baltay will discuss how these quarks combine to make more and more complicated structures that make up all that we see as our universe.

THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY OF LIFE: CELLULAR MACHINES AND TRANSPORTERS

Thursday, May 7
10:00 a.m. at MSC
Program #18251

Fee: $3

Presenters: Sue Moon, Deepanshi, Nghia Le, Yale Science in the News

Program: There is a chocolate factory inside of us. How do our own cells produce and package products and nutrients to use and deliver to the rest of the body?

BOOK DISCUSSION: THE HOUSE AT SUGAR BEACH: IN SEARCH OF A LOST AFRICAN CHILDHOOD BY HELENE COOPER

Monday, May 11
10:00 a.m. at GCC
Program #18252

Fee: $3

Facilitator: Pam Asmus, Ph.D.

Pamela Asmus did her graduate work in American Studies at Brown University with a specialty in American women, American social and intellectual history, and American literature. She has taught at the University of New Haven, SCSU, and Wesleyan University.

This memoir traces the author’s journey from her privileged upbringing in Liberia to her family’s  escape to America. The book was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in 2008.

INSIDE THE WORLD OF HUMMINGBIRDS

Tuesday, May 12
10:00 a.m. at GCC
Program #18253

Fee: $3

Presenter: Joe Attwater, Connecticut Audubon Society

Joe Attwater is the Conservation and Education Coordinator for the CT Audubon Society’s RTP Estuary Center in Old Lyme. He leads many of the Center’s public programs and assists with K-12 education programs. He has a BS in wildlife and conservation biology from the University of Rhode Island.

Program: Learn about the fascinating lives of hummingbirds, the adaptations to their lifestyle, and the threats they face.

BUS TRIP: TOUR OF THE LIVING VILLAGE AT THE YALE DIVINITY SCHOOL

Wednesday, May 13
9:30 a.m. SGC
Program #18254

Fee: $3

Guide: Greg Sterling, Dean of the Yale Divinity School

From operations to food practices to Divinity Farm, Yale Divinity School is committed to aligning campus life with the imperative to live in harmony with nature. YDS is educating the next generation of “Apostles of the Environment”.  Join us for a walking tour of the Living Village residential complex designed to meet the most aggressive standards for sustainable buildings today. Suggested Reading: Pope Francis, Laudato si, an important encyclical.

TRIP: AN INSIDER’S TOUR OF THE BLACKSTONE LIBRARY, BRANFORD

DRIVE YOURSELF

Thursday, May 14
10:00 a.m.
Program #18255

Fee: $3

Guide: Katy McNicol, Library Director

Program: Tour the Blackstone Library, an iconic architectural gem in Branford. Learn about the library’s founding, its architecture, and its history over the years.

THE FUTURE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, PART ONE

Friday, May 15
10:00 a.m. at GFL
Program #18256

Fee: $3

Presenter: Harvey Heyman, MBA

Harvey Heyman received his BA from Brown University and his MBA from Harvard University. A passionate consumer of politics and technology, he has created courses for several area lifelong learning groups.

Program: How will AI impact our political, cultural, and social lives? The speaker will briefly review the four or five leading AI models and describe their development. Experience live demonstrations of AI highlighting its already incredible power.

Note: This is a repeat of the November 21, 2025 presentation for those who did not attend.

IMPLICATIONS OF AI FOR THE JOB MARKET, THE STOCK MARKET AND EDUCATION

Tuesday, May 19
10:00 a.m. at GCC
Program #18257

Fee: $3

Presenter: Ray Lombra, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Economics, Penn State University

Ray Lombra is the Professor Emeritus of Economics, Penn State University. He served as a senior staff economist at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He is a specialist in monetary economics and macroeconomics with a focus on central bank policy, financial markets, and international finance. Ray is an award-winning teacher, author, and a consultant to the government and numerous financial firms

Program: Dive deep into how AI is affecting employment, stock market valuations and the way students are taught. The on-going revolution will surprise you!

THE HERO’S JOURNEY: FROM NAVAJO SANDPAINTING CEREMONIES TO TIBETAN THANGKAS

Tuesday, May 26
10:00 a.m. at GCC
Program #18258

Fee: $3

Presenter: Michele Schofield

Program: Follow the speaker’s journey from her fascination and focus on Navajo culture to her interest in Tibetan Buddhism and its art form, the Thangkas. The presenter will bring samples of her own Navajo sand paintings and her collection of Thangkas.

THE CONCEPT OF REINCARNATION AND PAST LIVES

Wednesday, May 27
10:00 a.m. at MSC
Program #18259

Fee: $3

Presenter: Kristin White is a mystic, shaman, intuitive and teacher. She  has maintained a private practice for the past twenty-three years helping people find healing, balance and their own spiritual path.

Program: Have you ever wondered about reincarnation?  Listen to a discussion of the historical and cultural understanding of reincarnation, including contemporary studies and writings about the subject.

This is a  continuation of the program presented on June 4th, 2025.