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CCSU Virtual Scholars For Life! Speaker Series

Scholars for Life Speaker Series

During the pandemic CCSU faculty and guest speakers brought their passions and knowledge to you via our Virtual Scholars For Life! Speaker Series.  Because this venue was so popular we are going to continue to offer some talks virtually.  Our faculty are taking a much-needed break this summer after a busy year, but we are working on our new schedule!

We will also offer our Scholars For Life! Speaker Series and other events on campus when the campus fully opens.  We will keep you posted on that progress. 

If you are interested in learning more about lifelong learning, our virtual events and future on-campus events, please join the mailing list  or contact Christa Sterling @ csterling@ccsu.edu or 860-832-2277.

Thanks to our Sponsors

Hartford Health Care Sponsor
CCSU Sponsor

Life & Leisure #3

Life Long Learning is a great way to keep your mind sharp!  The Speaking Series is a great program at CCSU – diverse subjects, well done! 

Gary Robinson, New Britain Resident and Life-long Learner!

Life & Leisure #2

I go to the fitness center to exercise my muscles, and I go to CCSU’s Life & Leisure Speaking Series to exercise my brain!  I have a high ‘curiosity quotient (CQ)” so the variety of topics covered in this series helps to satisfy my CQ.  It’s said that curiosity killed the cat, but for me curiosity makes for a more interesting life!

Reverend Dolores, Avid Life-long Learner!

Life & Leisure #1

Education is still important to us and now through the CCSU Continuing Education, ‘Life & Leisure Speaking Series’ it’s also fun again.  Thank You!”

Nick ’70 and JoAnn, Active Life-long Learners!

Scholars For Life! Speaker Series

“How Squirrels Learn to Access Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders and Other Hard-to-Reach Food Sources” (IN-PERSON Attendance Registration)

CCSU graduate and Science Teacher Karli Walczewski Searle with Professor Emeritus Sylvia Halkin

02/23/2024
5:00 pm

Password:

“Squirrel proof” seems to be a temporary condition for bird feeders. To learn more about why this is the case, Karli and her family constructed a variety of “obstacle course” pathways that squirrels could cross to reach a box of nuts; Sylvia and an undergraduate research team helped Karli to record data on the squirrels’ progress. On average, squirrels required fewer than 5 trials to master a new pathway, and once they had learned how to cross it, they remembered. Squirrels seemed to learn by watching one another: once the first squirrel had mastered a pathway, others tended to have their first successful crossing within 6 minutes of another squirrel’s success. Errors that caused a squirrel to fall were extremely rare; instead, unsuccessful squirrels often simply turned around and left, to return later for another try.

Learn more
Register Here

“How Squirrels Learn to Access Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders and Other Hard-to-Reach Food Sources” (VIRTUAL Attendance Registration)

CCSU graduate and Science Teacher Karli Walczewski Searle with Professor Emeritus Sylvia Halkin

02/23/2024
6:00 pm

Password:

“Squirrel proof” seems to be a temporary condition for bird feeders. To learn more about why this is the case, Karli and her family constructed a variety of “obstacle course” pathways that squirrels could cross to reach a box of nuts; Sylvia and an undergraduate research team helped Karli to record data on the squirrels’ progress. On average, squirrels required fewer than 5 trials to master a new pathway, and once they had learned how to cross it, they remembered. Squirrels seemed to learn by watching one another: once the first squirrel had mastered a pathway, others tended to have their first successful crossing within 6 minutes of another squirrel’s success. Errors that caused a squirrel to fall were extremely rare; instead, unsuccessful squirrels often simply turned around and left, to return later for another try.

Learn more
Register Here

Virtual Movie Club – Platoon

Steve Armstrong

02/28/2024
7:00 pm

Password:

Watch the movie in advance and then join us for a lively, casual conversation. Just like a book club, but only with movies! Movies can be found on Amazon, Max and sometimes in libraries!

Learn more
Register Here

“Women in the Ancient Burial Grounds” (IN-PERSON Attendance Registration)

CCSU Professor Emeritus of History Kathy Hermes with ABG Coordinator Christine Jewell

03/14/2024
5:00 pm

Password:

Description coming soon

Learn more
Register Here

“Women in the Ancient Burial Grounds” (VIRTUAL Attendance Registration)

CCSU Professor Emeritus of History Kathy Hermes with ABG Coordinator Christine Jewell

03/14/2024
6:00 pm

Password:

Description coming soon

Learn more
Register Here

Virtual Movie Club – Wall Street

Steve Armstrong

03/20/2024
7:00 pm

Password:

Watch the movie in advance and then join us for a lively, casual conversation. Just like a book club, but only with movies! Movies can be found on Amazon, Max and sometimes in libraries!

Learn more
Register Here

“Preparing for Connecticut’s Moment in the Sun” (IN-PERSON Attendance Registration)

Dr. Kristine Larsen

03/25/2024
5:00 pm

Password:

While many people have made travel plans (sometimes years in advance) to be in the path of totality for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, what about those who will be viewing the event from Connecticut? What does a 93% eclipse look like, and how can you view it safely? In this non-technical talk, Dr. Larsen explains the cause of a solar eclipse, how a partial eclipse differs from a total eclipse, and, most importantly, how to be prepared to view it safely from your own backyard. Dr. Kristine Larsen has been an astronomy professor at Central Connecticut State University since 1989. Her teaching and research focus on the intersections between science and society, including sexism and science; science and popular culture (especially science in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien); and the history of science. She is the author of the books Stephen Hawking: A Biography, Cosmology 101, The Women Who Popularized Geology in the 19th Century, Particle Panic!, Science, Technology and Magic in The Witcher: A Medievalist Spin on Modern Monsters, and the forthcoming The Sun We Share: Our Star in Popular Media and Science.

Learn more
Register Here

“Preparing for Connecticut’s Moment in the Sun” (VIRTUAL Attendance Registration)

Dr. Kristine Larsen

03/25/2024
6:00 pm

Password:

While many people have made travel plans (sometimes years in advance) to be in the path of totality for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, what about those who will be viewing the event from Connecticut? What does a 93% eclipse look like, and how can you view it safely? In this non-technical talk, Dr. Larsen explains the cause of a solar eclipse, how a partial eclipse differs from a total eclipse, and, most importantly, how to be prepared to view it safely from your own backyard. Dr. Kristine Larsen has been an astronomy professor at Central Connecticut State University since 1989. Her teaching and research focus on the intersections between science and society, including sexism and science; science and popular culture (especially science in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien); and the history of science. She is the author of the books Stephen Hawking: A Biography, Cosmology 101, The Women Who Popularized Geology in the 19th Century, Particle Panic!, Science, Technology and Magic in The Witcher: A Medievalist Spin on Modern Monsters, and the forthcoming The Sun We Share: Our Star in Popular Media and Science.

Learn more
Register Here

Virtual Movie Club – Roger and Me

Steve Armstrong

04/10/2024
7:00 pm

Password:

Watch the movie in advance and then join us for a lively, casual conversation. Just like a book club, but only with movies! Movies can be found on Amazon, Max and sometimes in libraries!

Learn more
Register Here

Virtual Movie Club Double Feature!- Lost in America, The Breakfast Club

Steve Armstrong

04/24/2024
7:00 pm

Password:

Watch the movie in advance and then join us for a lively, casual conversation. Just like a book club, but only with movies! Movies can be found on Amazon, Max and sometimes in libraries!

Learn more
Register Here

Virtual Movie Club- Do the Right Thing

Steve Armstrong

05/15/2024
7:00 pm

Password:

Watch the movie in advance and then join us for a lively, casual conversation. Just like a book club, but only with movies! Movies can be found on Amazon, Max and sometimes in libraries!

Learn more
Register Here

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

Mahatma Ghandi

CCSU’s Office of Continuing Education offers life-long learning opportunities that are friendly, stimulating and informal.
There are no tests and no grades! You will join a learning community that is full of diversity, conversation, stimulation and friendship.

Expand Your Horizons. Meet New Friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be over 50 to attend any Life, Leisure & Community Programs?

Most of the programs are scheduled to cater to our retired audience, however, anyone can attend.  Just be sure you can keep up with them!

Are there any discounts?

  Check back for our 2019 listing coming soon!

Are there any free events?

Yes.  AARP hosts many events on CCSU’s campus, and these events are free.

Where do I park?

Each individual event will have specific driving and parking instructions.  The events are at various locations, and we will provide the closest parking option.

Is there assistance to the event location?

Yes.  We have handicap parking at every location.  However, because we are a campus and you cannot drive to the front door of most buildings, we use a golf cart to transport those that need assistance.  Please let us know when you register if you require assistance.  Only authorized personnel can drive the carts, so we need to plan ahead.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Christa Sterling 860-832-2277; csterling@ccsu.edu

Judy Ratcliffe 860-832-2276; jratcliffe@ccsu.edu