*NO CLASS MONDAY 9/21*

Science and technology have transformed our world, yet skepticism of science and experts is growing. We'll examine the forces driving anti-science movements, the role of government and media, and the promises and risks of artificial intelligence. Can trust in science be restored? 

Presenter: Sandy Catz; Retired Lockheed Martin aerospace engineering manager; Greater Philadelphia Thinking Society organizer and discussion group leader; Temple OLLI lifelong learning instructor of multi-disciplinary courses in science and the humanities. MEng, Engineering Sciences, Pennsylvania State University; BS, Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University.

Vaccination has transformed public health by protecting individuals and communities from preventable diseases, yet it has become an increasingly controversial topic. As more people choose to delay or skip recommended vaccines, larger segments of the population become vulnerable to disease outbreaks. This lecture explores the history of vaccination, how vaccines work, their safety, and the ongoing debate surrounding their use.

Presenter: Kenneth LaPensee, PhD, MPH is an epidemiologist and health economist with years of experience in infectious disease in the pharmaceutical industry. He has authored journal articles on treatments for infectious and chronic diseases and educational articles on vaccine development. He contributed to strategies to combat pneumonia and Covid-19.

Come and be enthralled by the world of birds in this talk. Learn how to start birding, identify our feathered friends, and where to find them. The class will also explore migratory behavior, along with local organizations involved in birding and conservation, and how you can get involved.

Presenter: Born in India and raised in Calcutta, Nilesh Shah earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering in the U.S. and spent 34 years with Rohm and Haas and Dow Chemical, retiring as a Global R&D Director. An avid birder since 1987 with over 1,200 bird species identified over his lifetime, Nilesh is fascinated by birds, their behavior, and their role in the ecosystem.