Lifelong Learning Program

The Lifelong Learning Program will be hosting our Fall Kickoff event Friday, August the 29th from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Willis Building. Get the opportunity to meet instructors, learn about courses, reunite with some of your favorite LLP friends and be able to sign in person for the semester's offerings!  

Online and in person registration will begin August 29 at the Fall Kickoff event. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly part of our lives—e.g., self-driving vehicles, military simulations, medical delivery and diagnostic programs, smart home devices, pharmaceutical research, banking, and gene editing. China is making huge investments; Putin said the country leading in AI will rule the world. Runaway AI—superintelligence—is like building a new deity in the computer lab, but what kind? With superintelligence, will we go extinct with the dinosaurs or solve the world’s problems? Stephen Hawking, one of Britain's pre-eminent scientists, said "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race" and be “the biggest event in human history” or, possibly, the last.

In this workshop you will learn how to make a large decorative bowl with slabs of clay. You will decorate the surface of your form with texture from lace and found objects. After construction, projects will be painted with underglaze during the workshop, fired by our staff, and ready for pick up a few weeks later. 

Join the Lifelong Learning program for a day trip to the Washington Waterfront and the North Carolina Estuarium. As the first facility of its kind, the Estuarium is one of North Carolina’s most innovative environmental centers, featuring over 200 exhibits highlighting the importance of estuaries and coastal rivers. Enjoy a docent-led tour of the facility, and, if weather permits, a historic riverboat tour on the Pamlico River. We’ll also have lunch along the scenic, historic waterfront. Space is limited to 20 participants, so be sure to sign up early. Register by September 12th. A lunch gathering is being organized, and participants will pay for their own orders.

Guided by the staff of the Coastal Studies Institute, Lifelong Learners will explore the black waters of Milltail Creek and visit the now-abandoned site of Buffalo City. The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is home to alligators, bears, the extremely rare and endangered red wolf, and a wide variety of unique birds that inhabit the Inner Banks. LLP participants will paddle at a relaxed pace along bald cypress shaded  paddling trails  and across a wide, open lake where alligators are often seen swimming freely. Along the way, we will learn about the area's wildlife, ecology, and rich history. We will kayak for 2 hours and stop in Williamston for lunch before returning to Greenville.

Participants must be able to sit in a kayak for up to 2 hours.

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the critical relationship between aging and oral health, with a focus on the distinct challenges and needs experienced by older adults. Participants will explore physiological changes in oral tissues associated with aging, prevalent dental conditions in geriatric populations, and the broader implications of oral health on general well-being and quality of life. The curriculum also includes evidence-based preventive measures and current best practices in the dental care of aging individuals. Designed for lifelong learners and those with an interest in healthy aging, this course offers practical insights and foundational knowledge to promote oral health throughout the lifespan.

The Coastal Studies Institute is flocking to Greenville once again, and this time our feathered friends will be the focus. Sure, the Wright Brothers took flight from the Outer Banks, but did you know the area is also known as a major thoroughfare of the Atlantic Flyway? In this program, Lifelong Learners will interact with CSI staff in a program which highlights birds of the coastal plain, and specifically those which can be found both on the Outer Banks and in Greenville.

The course will include novice tips and tricks for bird identification, bird-watching at Town Common, and a make-and-take project to build your own backyard bird feeder. Join us for a fun-filled, educational experience that spans birder interests from river to sea.

Heather and her husband spent a week in the tropical paradise of Curaçao, relaxing by the pool, exploring local attractions, and enjoying quality time together. Their days were filled with sunshine, cultural discoveries, and plenty of laid-back moments.

Rod and his wife took a short trip to France, beginning their journey in Toulouse. From there, they spent a few days in the picturesque alpine town of Annecy. To finish out the week, they enjoyed several nights in Paris before heading home. During their travels, they walked extensively and made the most of their time exploring. Their days were filled with plenty of cheese, fresh bread, and a touch of wine. 

Share with us a pet picture, Birds at your feeder, your family, your flower garden or the nature around your home. We'll pick a photo every newsletter and share it with the group. All photos will be attributed to the person submitting the image. 

This month: Karen Mathis shared this photo of an early morning visitor having a drink. Thanks for sharing, Karen!

Copyright © ECU Lifelong Learning Program, all rights reserved.

ADA Accommodations

Individuals requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the ADA coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event at 252-737-1018 / ada-coordinator@ecu.edu