Courses – Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association (ELLA)

24-A210 Pen and Ink Nature Drawing – Susan Casault

Janice Friesen — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 19:47:18 +0000

24-S201 Genetics – Heather McDermid

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:58 +0000

This course will help you understand how human genetics can affect our lives now and in the future. Have you ever wondered how genetic testing works, in medicine or forensics? Or how genetic testing can reduce adverse drug reactions? Or what you can learn from commercial “direct-to-consumer” DNA tests? In the ~70 years since the structure of DNA was discovered, remarkable progress has occurred in the understanding of human genetics. I will address both medical genetic advances and their ethical conundrums. Topics include the basics of disease inheritance, cancer genetics, types of genetic screening (including direct-to-consumer products), pharmacogenetics (personalized medicine), and the promise of gene therapy. Examples, such as cystic fibrosis, will be used to illustrate how genetic understanding can lead to effective treatments and possible cures.

Instructor: Dr. Heather McDermid

Heather McDermid is a University of Alberta professor emerita (retired 2020). She taught “Human Genetics”, “Ethical Issues in Genetics” and “Independent Studies in Genetic Counselling” for 30, 17 and 9 years, respectively. She is passionate about teaching how genetics is affecting our lives, and its awesome potential.

24-W208 Modern Board Games – Jared McGeough

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:58 +0000

24-W209 Discovering the World of Wine – William Bincoletto

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:58 +0000

24-H201 Inuit 201: A Celebration of Inuit Literature and Art – Norma Dunning

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:58 +0000

24-H203 Humans: A People’s History – Alvin Finkel

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:58 +0000

24-S202 Remote Sensing and the Environment

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:57 +0000

Have you ever wondered what would happen if we pointed an orbital telescope towards the Earth? In this course, we will look at how we can observe the Earth and its environment using remote sensing techniques. Starting with a history of these techniques, we will build them up from their physical bases and discuss their advancements into the tools we have today. These include high-powered lasers, radar, space-based cameras, and many other new techniques. We will examine how these tools are used to observe the environment of the Earth and what they can tell us about its past, present, and future. In doing so, we’ll look at many examples of remote sensing in action including how we can track hurricanes, where the next forest fires could be, and how we can find pirates sailing the high seas.

Instructor: Patrick O’Brien

Patrick O’Brien is a PhD student at the University of Alberta studying in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. His research focuses on measuring forest biodiversity using remote sensing methods in tropical environments. This research uses different remote sensing methods, including hyperspectral and LiDAR sensors, to measure variations within forests in an effort for better biodiversity conservation. Patrick also has experience working in the boreal forest with the Canadian Forestry Service. He has a background in physics with an MSc in Astroparticle Physics from the U of A and a BSc in physics and math from St. Francis Xavier University. Outside of research and teaching, Patrick enjoys playing the bagpipes and taking his dog for long walks.

24-S203 Wonders of the Night Sky – Brian Martin

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:57 +0000

This course is intended for people who are curious about the stars above! In 15 lectures we will study many topics including what you can see with your unaided eye, motion in the heavens, how our own star “sol” and other stars “work”. As well we will look at planets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies and finally the biggest view of all – cosmology. Throughout the course there will be many opportunities to see how astronomy also influences poetry, music and the visual arts. A very small amount of mathematics will be used from time to time

Instructor: Brian Martin

Brian Martin is a retired astrophysicist/science educator having taught physics and astronomy for more than 35 years at The King’s University in Edmonton. Since his early youth he has had a passion for the night sky and in retirement has returned to one of his favourite pastimes – photographing the night sky. He and his wife live on an acreage east of Sherwood Park where they have several small observatories dedicated to ongoing research and pleasure viewing.

24-S204 Marvels of Mathematics – Len Bonifacio

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:56 +0000

How does social distancing change the spread of COVID? Why do cicadas only appear in prime numbered years? What do cell phone antennas, African villages, and Lord of the Rings movies have in common? How is high school geometry now used to destroy kidney stones? How does a deck of cards hold more possibilities than there are grains of sand on earth? Is there a best way to cut diamonds? How does UPC coding work? How are prime numbers used to protect online transactions? Why are Pringles potato chips all the same? How are the digits of Pi used in forensic accounting? Why should contestants always change doors on Let’s Make A Deal? All of these have mathematical explanations. Let’s explore these and other amazing connections between math and nature, music, art, finance, and more. Many hands-on activities.

Instructor: Len Bonifacio

Len Bonifacio has been involved in math education for over 45 years, as a teacher, department head, provincial examiner, and district consultant. He is a contributing author to the math textbooks used currently in high schools in western Canada. He was a co-winner of the MCATA Math Educator of the Year in 2000, and was twice a semi-finalist for a provincial Excellence in Teaching award.

24-S206 Forensic Anthropology: The Skeleton of Your Life

Janice Friesen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:56 +0000

Your skeleton is essential in supporting your movement, but many do not realize that their bones do more than that. From broken bones to dental fillings, your skeleton tells the story of your life. This unique blueprint can even play an essential role in forensic investigations. Learn more about your 206 bones while applying knowledge to real case work. This course will explore the applications of forensic anthropology in the past and present. Students will learn anatomical terms, understand the application of bone development and growth in forensic applications, and gain hands-on experience through a mock case. Real bones and forensic images may be used as a part of instruction. Some classes may be held within the biological anthropology lab at the U of A.

Instructor: Alexandra Rocca

Alexandra Rocca completed her MA in anthropology at the University of Alberta in 2019. Alex has instructed in anthropology for the U of A and NorQuest College and served as a guest lecturer for the Community Marketplace with the Edmonton Public School Board. Alex is passionate about education for all ages.