What historical or political figure or event do you believe has had the most impact on America and why? Join this peer-led discussion that may include economic events, legislation, military actions, natural disasters, political leaders, and significant events that shaped America. Share your thoughts in small group discussions led by a facilitator about what has shaped our country over the past 250 years. Come prepared for a lively discussion.

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Monday, Oct 5, TBD - UR Campus

What pivotal moment in our nation's culture do you believe had the most impact and why? Join this peer-led discussion of important events or figures in areas that include art, literature, music, and sports. Facilitators will lead small group discussions as participants share their thoughts on the impact of the people and events that shaped our country over the past 250 years. Come prepared for a lively discussion.

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Monday, Sept 21, TBD - UR Campus

What science or technology do you believe has had the most impact on America and why? Join this peer-led discussion that may include research, inventions, and people that have shaped America. Share your thoughts in small group discussions led by a facilitator about what has shaped our country over the past 250 years. Come prepared for a lively discussion.

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Monday, Nov 2, TBD - UR Campus

Sauces 1.0 not required! A well-made sauce can be an important building block or finishing touch for a great dish. But, once you can make a sauce, what do you do with it? In this class, students will learn how to create three classic sauces (Hollandaise, Espagnole, Veloute) and then pair or alter them to finish their recipes. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Offered twice; please register for only one session. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Sept 17, The Kitchen Classroom
Thursday, Oct 1, The Kitchen Classroom

Aristotle in the 'Nicomachean Ethics' asks if there is some ultimate end toward which all human action ought to aim. Knowledge of such an end would be of utmost importance in guiding the conduct of our lives. 'Shall we not, like archers, who have a mark to aim at be more likely to hit upon what is right'? We'll discuss Aristotle's view of this ultimate end and the means he thought essential to achieving it.

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Friday, Oct 9, TBD - UR Campus

This beginner-friendly introduction to birding removes the pressure to identify everything perfectly. This talk reframes birdwatching as a simple, restorative practice focused on observing, curiosity, and enjoyment. Participants will learn what they actually need to get started, where to go, and how to build confidence through small, meaningful observations.

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Thursday, Nov 19, TBD - UR Campus

Join us to try eight red wines as we focus on the bigger, bolder styles produced around the world. Our wines will hail from different regions of the world and are made with different grapes, but all will focus on the heavier, fuller-bodied flavor styles many people love. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Oct 15, The Kitchen Classroom

This course will explore how everyday choices in food, home care, and gardening can reduce toxins and support a healthier lifestyle. We will examine the impacts of common lawn chemicals, pest control services, and household products, and learn how conventional yard sprays can disrupt beneficial ecosystems. We will highlight practical, nature-based alternatives that help create cleaner food, safer gardens, and a more balanced relationship with the natural world.

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Thursday, Oct 22, TBD - UR Campus

Menhaden are a small, nutrient-dense type of forage fish foundational to a healthy Chesapeake Bay. Join The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Will Poston to learn more about why menhaden are important and how management must improve to respond to mounting ecologic and economic warning signs.

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Thursday, Dec 3, TBD - UR Campus

Over the past two decades, young men and women in the United States have increasingly diverged in their outlooks of education, careers, relationships, and politics. These differences are contributing to a growing gap in life expectations, relationship patterns, and political attitudes between the sexes. We will host a multi-disciplinary panel discussion with VCU professors about why this schism matters.

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Wednesday, Sept 16, TBD - UR Campus

Pate Au Choux is delightful and easy, whether sweet or savory! Learn the ins and outs of making and baking Choux Dough from scratch! We will make classic Cream Puffs, Delicious Ecliars, and savory cheesy Gougeres! Class may run over/under the allotted time. Offered twice; please register for only one session. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Oct 29, Kitchen Classroom
Thursday, Nov 12, Kitchen Classroom

Wine comes in all price ranges, from your $6.99 grocery store specials to a rare vintage French Bordeaux for thousands of dollars a bottle (or more!). What would you pay for a wine you've never tasted? $10, $20, $100? What makes a bottle worth more? Join us to explore six wines in the $100 per bottle range. Light fare will be provided to complement the wine tasting. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Sept 24, The Kitchen Classroom

Journey along the James River watershed right here at Maymont to discover the health of our waterways.ÊUse scientific equipment to analyze water quality and investigateÊwildlife living in and around the creek.ÊTake a break insideÊthe Robins Nature CenterÊto meet and learn about the many animals that live inÊour watershed.ÊNote: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Sept 10, Maymont

Learn what makes butterflies and moths unique as lepidopteran insects, and what distinguishes butterflies from moths. Discover examples of butterflies and moths found commonly in Virginia, and why they are so important ecologically.

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Thursday, Nov 5, TBD - UR Campus

As the seasons change, fall offers one of the best opportunities to build a thriving garden ecosystem for the year ahead. In this course, students will learn how to create resilient, nature-based gardens that support pollinators, beneficial insects, birds, and soil life through the autumn season and beyond. Students will leave with practical ideas for creating healthier, more sustainable landscapes that work with nature year-round. Students are encouraged to bring material to take notes!

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Wednesday, Sept 16, TBD - UR Campus

This class is for Family Tree Maker users who have basic experience creating and managing trees but want to learn more. The class will include searching online with FTM; using tasks, notes, and media; creating reports, charts, smart stories, and books; correcting duplicates and incorrect relationships; merging people and data; and using TreeVault and FTM Connect. This is an interactive, hands-on experience. Students should bring their laptops with FTM installed for use in class.

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Thursday & Friday; Sept 24 and 25, TBD - UR Campus

Would you like to become more efficient and productive using Ancestry.com, the largest genealogy database in the world? Join us to learn about tips and techniques to improve your searches, dos and don'ts about family trees, and the University's Library edition vs. paid subscription. Additionally, you will learn to navigate the site to find all the features and resources available such as connecting with other researchers, accessing tutorials, and learning to use the card catalog.

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Thursday and Friday; Oct 29 and 30, TBD - UR Campus

Join this conversation about types of grief, ways of comforting grieving people, and community resources for grievers. Topics will include impacts of loss on function and health, anticipatory grief, maladaptive grief responses, and concrete ways of supporting people experiencing loss. While this session is not a support group, resources for grievers will be provided.

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Mon/Tues, Aug 24 and 25, Special Programs Building, Classroom 156 (5 seats (21%) remaining)

Join Diane, Maggie, and the Kitchen Classroom to try six pairings perfect for your Holiday tables. The pairings will be cheese-focused but not exclusively limited to cheese. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Dec 10, The Kitchen Classroom

Energy use worldwide continues to increase at a rapid pace. This course will present the current state of energy production and use worldwide and in the US. New technologies to increase energy production and efficient use of energy will be presented. This will include practical examples including comparisons of various energy sources, technical advancements to improve vehicle fuel efficiency, and the impact of data centers.

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Thursdays, Oct 22, 29, Nov 5, TBD - UR Campus

Long before Europeans arrived, Indigenous peoples had already built sophisticated and successful farming systems without draft animals or metal tools. This course explores how colonists adopted native practices that helped agriculture become the economic backbone of the colonies, a catalyst that would drive the decision to embark upon a struggle for sovereignty.

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Friday, December 18th, TBD - UR Campus

Earth has moved through repeated ice ages over the past 30 million years, shaped by tectonics, atmospheric carbon dioxide, orbital cycles, ocean circulation, and feedbacks involving ice and albedo. This presentation explores the development of Earth's modern cryosphere (the frozen world), the waxing and waning of ice sheets, and how today's rapid warming is transforming glaciers, polar ice, sea ice, permafrost, and future sea level.

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Monday, Sept 28, TBD - UR Campus

Learn how native plants provide ecological services to native members of the animal kingdom, why these services are vital, and why invasive plants aren't able to provide these services. Discover dozens of examples of plants that have become invasive in Virginia, and get inspired by the many native plants that we can intentionally plant on our property that not only play nicely with other plants, but also enhance biodiversity.

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Monday, Sept 28, TBD - UR Campus

Have you ever tried a wine and been unsure if the wine was bad or just not to your taste? This class can help! Explore the undesirable flavors in wine, often caused by mishandling, misstorage, over-aging, or production issues. We will taste the same wine side-by-side with an altered version of the wine, to learn about common off-flavors and what causes them. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Nov 5, The Kitchen Classroom

Learn to make your favorite Korean dishes at home! Bulgogi is a signature dish of many Korean restaurants, and you can make it at home. Learn about the specialty ingredients and techniques and how to combine them into a comforting dish. Japchae, savory and slightly sweet, is a stir-fried dish of glass noodles and vegetables. Kimchi pancakes can be an appetizer or an entree as it mellows out the intense flavor of kimchi. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Offered twice; please register for only one session. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Oct 8, The Kitchen Classroom
Thursday, Oct 22, The Kitchen Classroom

We each want to maintain a connection with what is meaningful to us, as that's how we describe an optimal quality of life. Yet, various health related factors prevent us from pursuing the quality of life that could keep us happy. Improving cell function is fundamental to becoming able-bodied and sharp-minded as we maintain the freedom to pursue an enjoyable quality of life now and for decades to come.

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Wednesday, Sept 16, TBD - UR Campus

During the Civil War, disease was the deadliest foe, but medical science grew as surgeons and nurses on and off the battlefield acquired knowledge. This interactive program examines the reasons behind the prevalence of disease and then explores field surgery, ending with a mock amputation. Following the program, participants will visit the collection's examination room to see artifacts associated with Civil War medicine. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Wednesday, Nov 11, American Civil War Museum: Tredegar Iron Works

This course will examine the role of fungi in human wellness and ecological balance. Students will learn about the healing properties of mushrooms such as Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Turkey Tail, including their effects on brain health, immunity, and stress resilience. The course will also highlight fungi's role in soil building, nutrient cycling, and plant communication. Students are encouraged to bring materials to take notes!

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Tuesdays, Sept 22, TBD - UR Campus

What really changes when we read beyond the abstract? In this interactive course, we will open real research papers (many in health and nutrition) and explore what scientists actually look for. We will explore how small design choices can dramatically shape a study's meaning, and why headlines rarely tell the full story. No technical background is required, just curiosity. By the end of the course, we will never read 'studies show' the same way again. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursdays; Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 11, Synchronous Online

Let's explore the three fascinating realms of the cosmos: nearby planets and moons, the stars, and the galaxies (the great island of stars that turn out to be the building blocks of the universe.) Our discussion will be in everyday language, without any math, and will be accompanied by remarkable color images from the latest space probes and the world's largest telescopes, including the latest breathtaking images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Tuesdays; Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, Synchronous Online

This course traces Apple's fifty-year history and its massive impact on personal computing, design, product culture, platforms and ecosystems, and daily life. Each session focuses on a different decade in Apple's history, from the birth of the PC in the late 1970s to the latest Apple silicon, VR headsets, and future iPhones. We will learn how Apple reshaped not just technology, but how people live, work, and communicate. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Tuesdays; Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, Synchronous Online

This course introduces the scientific study of life, emphasizing real-world applications and the societal, ethical, and legal consequences of biological advances. We will place key principles within the context of issues that affect society. Designed for non-scientists with little or no recent science experience, the course encourages discussion and reflection. Many topics are at the leading edge of discovery, and we will consider the ongoing ethical and legal debates surrounding their application. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursdays; Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, Synchronous Online

How does DNA reshape our understanding of ancestry and identity in the Americas? Let's explore genetic genealogy through early contact between European and Indigenous peoples, using the New Mexico DNA Project as a case study. We will examine Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, Indigenous haplogroups, and the Spanish castas system. We will consider the ethical and political implications of DNA testing and the limits of what genetic evidence can, and cannot, tell us about race and belonging. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Wednesdays, Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, Synchronous Online

Osher is having its own Trivia Night -- but in the afternoon. Come join us for this fun event. We are bringing in the local expert, Ball of Fire, to run the event, and we'll have snacks and beverages to sustain you when the competition gets tough! Come join us! Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, September 3, THC, Alice Haynes Room

New research shows that sleep isn't the mind's off switch, but instead a complex and dynamic process that impacts both our physical and mental health. Our modern lifestyle damages the 24 hour wake/sleep cycle and hinders our brain's ability to maintain and regenerate itself. We'll discuss some important and useful new research findings, and share ideas for practical strategies to protect and improve our brain health.

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Tuesdays; Nov 3, 10, 17, TBD - UR Campus

Plastics are everywhere. We use them constantly, store and cook our food in them, and wear them as polyester clothing. We travel in plastic cars and airplanes. But plastics are not biodegradable. Recent studies indicate that we're eating, drinking, and breathing increasing amounts of tiny micro- and nano-plastics. This course will discuss strategies to reduce our plastic consumption, and refer to recent studies of the health problems these substances may cause.

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Tuesdays; Dec 1, 8, 15, TBD - UR Campus

We will explore pirates in early history, then focus on the "Golden Age of Piracy" (1650-1730 AD), and finally talk about how pirates have changed over the centuries and the threats they still pose to today's maritime commerce. We will also cover pirate weapons and tactics, women in piracy, and government-sponsored pirates. We will conclude with a discussion of the most successful pirate of all time - it's not who you think!

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Tuesdays, Nov 10, 17, 24, TBD - UR Campus

Unleash the power of your photography. The class is designed to illustrate by examples ways to enhance your images using lines, shapes and facial expressions to compose powerful images.

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Wed and Fri, Dec 16 and 18, TBD - UR Campus

Some of the biggest questions we have as humans still remain. These range from why is there something rather than nothingness, to what is human consciousness, to how our universe has become aware of itself. Other existential questions such as the relationship of the human brain to AI, ethics/morality, human happiness, and theodicy (why bad things happen to good people) will be discussed. Time will be left at the end for audience discussions.

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Wednesdays, Sept 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, TBD - UR Campus

The Grand Canal stretches 30 feet from the mouth to the rectum. Starting with the sense of taste and ending appropriately with the treatment of hemorrhoids, we will discuss the various maladies that one may encounter in our travels down the Canal. Clinical cases along with errors both on the part of the physician as well as the patient will be presented.

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Monday, December 21, TBD - UR Campus

This course covers the story of human evolution from the earliest vertebrates through Homo sapiens, including human cultural and technological developments from the dawn of civilization as revealed by the sciences of biology, paleontology, anthropology, and archaeology. Inspiration for the course title was the 1950s LIFE magazine series The Epic of Man. This course is a follow-up to the presenter's previous Osher course, Deep Time.

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Thursdays, Sept 17, 24, Oct 1, TBD - UR Campus

As gas prices rise, we find ourselves at the beginning of a renaissance in nuclear energy. What is different about the new nuclear technologies? A simple picture will be painted of the physics of nuclear energy and what is new in nuclear around the world. We will start with how nuclear fission happens and illustrate how this amazing resource is used to create electricity in our homes.

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Monday, Sept 21, TBD - UR Campus

Behind every garden lies a hidden world of beauty, survival, and connection. In this photo-filled presentation, Richmond nature photographer and Certified Master Naturalist Jim Easton explores how gardens become vibrant ecosystems filled with pollination, predation, seasonal change, and surprising wildlife interactions. Through engaging stories and striking images, discover how plants, insects, birds, and other creatures form a dynamic web of life unfolding right outside our doors.

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Thursday, Nov 19, TBD - UR Campus

This new class is designed for homeowners and those who just want to learn more about ornamental trees. Learn the many benefits of trees and some common challenges, as well as what to do and what to avoid when choosing, planting, and caring for trees.

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Thursday, Oct 8, TBD - UR Campus

Dr. Zanjani, the director of the VCU Richmond Brain Health Initiative (RBHI), will discuss Improving Brain Health and review the current guidance on modifiable brain health risk factors. Audience members will leave with brain health information and a strategy to improve their own brain health.

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Tuesdays, Sept 22, TBD - UR Campus

Discover the newly-renovated habitats along Maymont's outdoor Virginia Wildlife Trail! Explore our 40-acre valley, home to historic and present-day native Virginia species, many of which are rescued wildlife. Join our educator to learn about the fascinating life histories of these animals and their vital roles in our ecosystem. You'll also get an inside look at how we care for them through specialized diets, enrichment activities, and training. Dress for walking (good shoes, water bottle, etc.). Fees are non-refundable unless we are able to fill your vacated slot.

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Friday, 10/09, Maymont

Today we associate Stoicism with dispassion or resignation in the face of adversity. But ancient Stoicism was a vibrant worldview and way of living for 500 years. This class explores the Stoics's belief in the cosmic Logos, their 'cosmopolitan' vision of human equality, and their practices of living 'according to nature.' Discussion may include the concepts of 'nature' and 'duty' and the place of reason and emotion in human life.

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Tuesday, Dec 8, TBD - UR Campus

Join this review of the recent history of Modern Medicine, highlighting how medicine has progressed during last 200 years. We'll provide a lighter touch on how it blundered but corrected its trajectory.

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Wednesdays; Nov 11 and 18, Synchronous Online

Take an immersive journey through Earth's diverse plant biomes, each one distinct in climate, flora, and visual impact. Wander through the stark beauty of the desert, where resilient plants thrive with little water. Step into Mediterranean climates known for food, wine, and fragrances. View the layers of the hot humid tropical rainforest filled with lush foliage, fruit trees, and orchids. Then, enter the subtropical house where nectar-rich plants and shrubs support the living butterflies. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Wed, Oct 14, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens