Northern Essex Community College has something new for those over 50. This spring, the college will launch its College of Older Learners (CoOL) which features seminars led by seniors for seniors. <\/p>\n
The four-week seminars will meet once a week on Wednesday afternoons, and topics will vary from an exploration of sacred geometry to living with hearing loss. The first series will begin March 23 with four topics to choose from. <\/p>\n
On Wednesday, March 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., the public is invited to attend a Seminar Sampler event where they can sample the four sessions that will be offered in the first series, learn about the program, and enjoy refreshments. That event will be held in the ArtSpace in the college\u2019s Bentley Library which is located at 100 Elliott St., Haverhill.<\/p>\n
George Medelinskas, professor of Computer Science at Northern Essex, came up with the idea of creating a seminar-styled learning opportunity for seniors and worked closely with a group of area seniors as well as his colleagues at the college to make it happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is learning for the joy of learning,\u201d says Medelinskas. \u201cEveryone, including the seminar leader, will approach the topic with a beginner\u2019s mind. All seminars will engage in active learning\u201d.<\/p>\n
Peter Spellman of West Newbury, who has been involved in CoOL planning, has experience with seminar learning. \u201cThese things come together from the passion of the person who is teaching it.\u201d <\/p>\n
The following seminars will be offered beginning March 23:<\/p>\n
Sacred Geometry<\/strong><\/p>\n Led by George Medelinskas, this seminar will explore the use of geometry in designing cathedrals, mandalas, and yantras. Participants will visit the computer lab and create their own designs on the computer as well as other media.<\/p>\n