ZOOM class.

Course participants will look at some of the research behind the study of plant communication, intelligence, consciousness and the role those processes play in maintaining our green planet. We will also look at the biases against the concept of plant intelligence and the challenges that plants must face moving forward.

Book: The Light Eaters, How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoe Schlanger REQUIRED 

Co-organizer: Susan Foody

Big idea: A pendulum is a simple but powerful tool in physics for studying motion, gravity, and energy transfer. In this hands-on activity, participants will build their own pendulums, experiment with variables like string length, weight, and observe the rhythmic beauty of periodic motion.

Location: SciTech in Batavia

Co-facilitator: Susan Foody

Big idea: Hovercrafts reduce friction between surfaces by floating on a thin cushion of air. This hands on activity will let participants build a mini hovercraft using simple materials to explore air pressure, friction reduction, and lift, while thinking like real-world engineers.

Location: SciTech in Batavia