Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
OLLI and ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum Collaboration
ScienceWorks – It’s Not Just for Kids!
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at SOU and ScienceWork Hands-On Museum are continuing to expand a collaborative program to foster continuing science education for adults that began in spring 2009. A major component of the partnership involves select OLLI science courses being taught at the ScienceWorks facility. The cost of class attendance is included in the membership fee for either organization. However, space is limited, so registration is required, by having members contact the OLLI office.
During spring quarter 2011, OLLI will offer three courses at the ScienceWorks facility:
- Charles Darwin - Evolutionary Science Since His Time
- The Sixth Extinction and the Future of Medicine
Click here for the OLLI spring course catalog (PDF), which contains details of these three courses, as well as dozens of other classes being offered to OLLI members on the Ashland and Medford campuses.
During fall 2010 quarter, OLLI members collaborated with ScienceWorks to build a "DaVinci machine". The class opted to build Leonardo's cam hammer machine for blacksmiths. After constructing the machine from a 513-year-old blueprint the class donated the machine to ScienceWorks in Ashland. This project was made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation to the OLLI National Resource Center, which picked the DaVinci project as one of six nationwide to start their Science Education Center for the Third Age (SECTA).
Both ScienceWorks and OLLI exert a vital influence on the quality of life in the Rogue Valley through their support of lifelong learning. ScienceWorks is comprised of 1,800 members and serves adults as well as children via interactive exhibits, live science shows and dynamic programs. OLLI focuses on continuing education for adults, and offers its almost 1,200 members a wide-ranging assortment of courses per quarter, three quarters per year.
OLLI encourages support of the ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum by visiting www.scienceworksmuseum.org, and viewing the many interesting lectures and presentations that are open to the public. As will be evident, ScienceWorks is not just for kids. One can enjoy their interactive exhibits Wednesday through Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday: Noon - 4 pm. ScienceWorks is offering OLLI members a 15% discount on their normal admission prices of $5.00 for kids ages 2-12, $7.50 for teens and adults, and $5.00 for seniors 65+. An even better bargain is to purchase a ScienceWorks membership, which includes:
- Unlimited attendance for two adults plus all children in the household or up to 6 grandchildren under 18 years of age
- Invitations to special member-only events
- Subscription to the Science Works newsletter
- Coupons for free visits to participating museums
We are indeed fortunate to have two strong organizations -- OLLI and ScienceWorks – serving lifelong learners in our community.