Joanna Allhands with The Arizona Republic will present “Does Arizona Have Enough Water? What You Need to Know” to New Adventures members in November.
Jan Bobbett and Mary Kenny
How would you define these words: presenter, member, class, facility, curriculum guide? At New Adventures in Learning (NA) these and other terms have specific meaning for all involved in the program.
Presenters are members of our larger community. They are key volunteers, and not all are members of NA. But they all are excited to share their skills and enthusiasm. Some are specialists in their field; some have a special interest, such as constellations or Hilleman novels; some have learned something they just want to share, such as how to garden in the desert or declutter.
This fall semester, we have a new presenter. She is Joanna Allhands, who writes opinions about water and education policy for The Arizona Republic. She will present “Does Arizona Have Enough Water? What You Need to Know.” Allhands’ interactive session will offer an overview of where our water comes from, what’s threatening those supplies, and what we and the wider state can do to prepare for a hotter, drier future. Water policy is complex, but the goal of this class is to break down the basics into understandable bites and perhaps dispel a few myths along the way.
Members are those who have completed the process of signing up and paying the annual membership fee. The process is usually done online, but help is available. There is no age restriction, and with your membership, you can take as many classes each semester as you wish. Participation in Zoom classes is usually not limited, while in-person class participation is limited to seats available.
Classes are offered by a multitude of presenters. Each one is different. The presenter determines what to include. Class modes include lecture, discussion, group activity, field trip, etc., (but don’t expect homework or a test).
Most classes are one session, but the presenter might want members to meet more than once. Also, a class can be offered in one of two modes: in-person or by Zoom. For example, this fall we will have a two-session class that will be presented in-person. It’s called “The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.” Compare that with a one-session Zoom class called “Dementia-Friendly Community.”
Facility: All in-person classes are held at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Sun Lakes Center (northeast corner of Alma School and Riggs Roads) in comfortable, air conditioned, state-of-the-art equipped classrooms. There’s plenty of free parking, too.
Curriculum Guide: To be able to make decisions about what to take, members and prospective members can refer to the current Curriculum Guide on NA’s website. For each class, the guide includes all the essential info, including the presenter, class description, whether it’s offered in-person or on Zoom, as well as start dates and times.
We hope these definitions provide clarity and are helpful as you view the fall semester Curriculum Guide at www.newadventures.info. Visit the website to become a member, see which classes are in-person or via Zoom, and learn more about NA’s dedicated presenters.
Need assistance? Call NA at 480-857-5500 or email [email protected].