Sunrise Senior College Online Course Registration

Here is your opportunity to learn about one of nature’s most misunderstood insects - the Wasp.

Did you know that they are vital to the world’s eco systems, serving as pollinators and pest controllers? There are over 100,000 species of wasp in the world and only one or two of these creatures have resulted in us having a negative view of wasps and their role in our eco system.

Why not join Linda Goodwin as she reviews the evolution, science, engineering marvels, extraordinary variety and the cultural significance of these marvelous insects. The class will span six sessions over 4 weeks where she will cover different topics such as the classification and evolution of Hymenoptera, a large order of insects that includes ants, bees, and Wasps; the diversity of wasps where we look at the wide variety of social and solitary wasps; the role of wasps in ecology and agriculture, as pollinators and pest control; the unique engineering of wasps by examining paper wasps, mud daubers, Potters wasps, and others; the chemistry and medical applications of wasp venom, saliva and other products; and wasps in popular culture throughout history in literature, music, fashion, movies, etc..

Instructor: Linda Goodwin is a retired MD and now a full-time artist with a lifelong curiosity and love of insects. She taught this same course during the summer session of OLLI, at UNC-Asheville, in western NC. Entomology was her favorite course in college. She incorporates paper wasp nests into her artwork.

Class Information:  This is a hybrid class - held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom.   The instructor will teach this remotely on Zoom. The classes will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays on the following dates – February 26th (Thurs.), March 3rd (Tues.), 5th (Thurs.), 10th (Tues.) 12th (Thurs.) & 19th (Thurs.).  The first 5 classes will be held in Science 102 & on Zoom, the final class will be on Zoom only.

All facilities at the University of Maine at Machias (UM@M) are fully handicap compliant.  The facilities used by Sunrise Senior College (SSC) at the college have ramps, elevators and handicap accessible bathrooms.  Our offsite functions and activities have various limitations and restrictions and may not be fully handicap accessible.  SSC will endeavor to identify limitations at these to you in advance.

                                                    IMPORTANT:  See Below

“Sunrise Senior College does not endorse any appeal or representation made by a presenter, non-profit organization or business during an SSC presentation.  SSC members attending the presentations may wish to pursue additional involvement with the organization or presenter based on the material that was presented and in doing so, they are acting on their own and not as part of SSC.”

This class is available to all current Maine Senior College (MSCN) Members. The general public not wishing to join Sunrise Senior College at this time may attend this class for a $20.00 fee.

Important: If at this time you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning to join as a member today, make sure you answer that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so that we can properly bill you for this class.

Sunrise Senior College (SSC) is a membership-based organization. Our SSC members receive special benefits as current members when they register for this course. Any member of another MSCN college is also able to enjoy this course, but may incur some additional charges. If you are a member of the general public, you can take this course but will have to pay additional fees associated with being a non-member. For any attendee that is not a current member of Sunrise Senior College, any materials required for the course are your responsibility. When checking out, please carefully read and answer the questions asked associated with this specific course so that you are charged appropriately for this class. Failure to do this may result in your being cancelled from the course. We hope you enjoy this offering.