Register now for a variety of free and low-cost summer courses
Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) continues to expand its online presence to offer non-credit courses and educational programs throughout the year, which aim to assist people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
CURE offers a variety of online learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University, and Adult Education programs.
CURE is enrolling now for summer sessions. The offerings include:
IUN Community Garden: Engaging Youth in the Garden
6 to 7 p.m., Monday, May 10
Enrollment Deadline: noon, May 7
Free and open to adults of all ages
This live, online session is geared for teachers, educators, homeschool families, and youth group leaders wishing to engage youth in the garden. Lake County Urban Agriculture Extension Educator Rebecca Koetz will cover a wide variety of curricula and activities for engaging elementary-age youth, with examples from Junior Master Gardener, 4H, and The Nature of Teaching curricula. Rebecca will demonstrate an example activity "paper towel gardening.” Participants wishing to follow along with this activity should have available the following items: paper towels, washable glue, and seeds. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
IUN Community Garden: The Garden Sundial: More than an Ornament
6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 18
Enrollment Deadline: noon, May 17
Free and open to adults of all ages
Sundials have graced gardens for centuries, but few people today really know anything about them. If made and installed properly, sundials can be very accurate timekeepers as well as beautiful garden decor. In this live, online session, Jessica Warren, IU Nothwest lecturer in Physics, will describe how sundials are connected to the motion of the Sun, why sundial time is different than clock time and how to reconcile the two, and provide examples of different types of sundials. These ancient devices represent a convergence of history, math, astronomy, and art that can offer a new dimension to your backyard garden! Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
IUN Community Garden: Dynamic Container Gardens
Noon to 1 p.m., Monday, May 24
Enrollment Deadline: noon, May 21
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Horticulturalist and Master Gardener, Lynn Barbee, in this live Zoom meeting and learn how to design, plant, and maintain outdoor container gardens for year-round interest. The focus of the session will be on growing flowers in containers and on techniques for keeping them beautiful all season long, into fall and even winter. We will also briefly discuss best practices for growing vegetables and herbs in containers. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
IUN Community Garden: Wetlands: The Ordinary and the Extraordinary
Noon to 1 p.m., Friday, Jun. 11
Enrollment Deadline: noon, Jun. 10
Free and open to adults of all ages
What is a wetland, really? Just a slough? Or a scary swamp? Or some waterlogged land that should be filled in? Let's do a bit of investigating, dispel the myths, and figure out what an ordinary wetland is. In this live Zoom session, we'll see why folks "in the know" say wetlands are among the most important spots on the planet. And finally, take a step back in time to reveal unexpected and extraordinary findings! Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
IUN Community Garden: Wildflowers: Food for Pollinators and People
Noon to 1 to 2 p.m., Friday, Jun. 25
Enrollment Deadline: noon, Jun. 24
Free and open to adults of all ages
Permaculture and wildflowers and food, Oh my! Join this live Zoom meeting and learn a dozen native wildflowers you can plant in your garden to provide nourishment for yourself and the beneficial pollinators that support our ecosystems. We'll weave in permaculture ethics and honorable harvest to this discussion as well. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Smartphones II for Androids
24/7 Access: Available now through June 30
Enrollment Deadline: noon, May 31
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Have you mastered sending text messages and making phone calls on your Android smartphone? Are you ready for the next level of smartphone usage? If so, then register for this online, self-paced tutorial and learn at your own pace by watching and/or re-watching video tutorials created by technology wizard, Brittany Taylor. Through the tutorial, you will learn how to manage contacts, save and edit images, utilize Google, and more—all from your Android phone! Once enrolled, participants will have access to the tutorial through Wednesday, June 30. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Smartphones II for iPhones
24/7 Access: Available now through June 30
Enrollment Deadline: noon, May 31
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Have you mastered sending text messages and making phone calls on your iPhone smartphone? Are you ready for the next level of smartphone usage? If so, then register for this online, self-paced tutorial and learn at your own pace by watching and/or re-watching video tutorials created by technology wizard, Brittany Taylor. Through the tutorial, you will learn how to manage contacts, save and edit images, utilize Safari, and more—all from your iPhone! Once enrolled, participants will have access to the tutorial through Wednesday, June 30. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Introduction to Public Speaking
4 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays, May 10 through 24
Enrollment Deadline:noon, May 7
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Statistics show that more people fear public speaking than death! Seasoned communications professional, Chelsea Whittington, is coming to the rescue to help those who find it difficult to speak before groups and large audiences. Join this live, online series to get tips on how to prepare for an oral presentation while learning common practices that help perfect your public speaking, whether in-person or in a virtual environment. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Big Band Jazz: 1950-2020
6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 17 and Thursday, May 20
Enrollment Deadline:noon, May 14
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Led by IU Northwest’s own Billy Foster, this two-part Zoom workshop will explore the history of the Big Bands in jazz from 1950 to 2020! We will start with the music of Count Basie, Buddy Rich, and Maynard Ferguson and finish with such current bands as the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. The stars of these bands will also be discussed. Participants will have the option to join by phone. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Smartphones III for Androids
2:30 to 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays, Jun. 2through 23
Enrollment Deadline:noon, Jun. 1
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
If you’ve taken Smartphones I and II, then get ready because the advanced smartphones course you’ve been waiting for is now open for enrollment! This live Zoom series is designed for those who are ready to do more than just send texts and make phone calls with their Android smartphones. Participants will learn how to use GPS, type directly on a PDF, lock apps, and so much more! Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Smartphones III for iPhones
2:30 to 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays, Jun. 3through 24
Enrollment Deadline:noon, Jun. 2
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
If you’ve taken Smartphones I and II, then get ready because the advanced smartphones course you’ve been waiting for is now open for enrollment! This live Zoom series is designed for those who are ready to do more than just send texts and make phone calls with their iPhone smartphones. Participants will learn how to use GPS, type directly on a PDF, lock apps, and so much more! Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Canva Success: Graphic Design Simplified
4 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, Jun. 8 through 22
Enrollment Deadline:noon, Jun. 7
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
In these live Zoom sessions, Tavetta Patterson will introduce participants to Canva, an online platform that enables users to easily create professional-grade graphic designs. Canva Success participants will receive templates for flyers, inspirational posts, Zoom backgrounds, and strategies to create impactful designs. Register for Canva Success today and learn how to design on a dime! Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Computers II: Microsoft Word
4 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays, Jun. 14 and 21
Enrollment Deadline:noon, Jun. 11
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Designed for those ready to move beyond the basics of computer use, this two-part live Zoom series will delve into the details of using Microsoft Word. Lead by veteran instructor, Chelsea Whittington, these sessions will teach participants not only the terms and functions used in Microsoft Word, but how to navigate the software program and utilize templates to format documents. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Senior University: Managing Stress
1 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jun. 29
Enrollment Deadline:noon, Jun. 28
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Over the past year, the deadly coronavirus, mandated shutdowns, social isolation, economic devastation, and civil unrest have dramatically increased stress levels for all of us. This workshop will introduce you to a set of simple, easy to use, research-supported techniques to control your stress level and effectively calm yourself. These strategies can be very empowering to you and others in your family. Register today to join us for straight-talk about how to successfully combat stress. Participants will have the option to join by phone call. Enroll online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG
Adult Education: Fundamental Courses
24/7 Access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens
Online fundamental courses are informative, fun, and convenient. Fundamental courses include instructor-led courses and self-paced tutorials. Instructor-led courses run for six weeks with monthly start dates and feature an instructor-moderated discussion board so that you can interact with your classmates. Self-paced tutorials are designed for completely independent learning, without instructor moderation, and can be started at any time. Complete any course entirely from home, at any time of the day or night. Popular courses include Speed Spanish, Accounting Fundamentals, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, and A to Z Grant Writing. Enroll, learn more, or view all Fundamental courses at ed2go.com/iunadulted
Adult Education: Career Training Programs
24/7 Access; Start at any time
Cost varies; Courses for adults
The online, open-enrollment Career Training Programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations. Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, encouraging and motivating you to succeed. Enroll, learn more, or view all Career Training Programs at careertraining.ed2go.com/iun
Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Cost varies; Courses for adults
These online Career Track programs offer students a chance to hone their skills in a variety of professions—from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in the self-paced format and have opportunities for national certification, externship placement, and/or career support. For select healthcare programs, there is also the option for the instructor-led format, in which content is facilitated by live instructors with scheduled webinars and interactive activities. Enroll, learn more, or view all Comprehensive Career Tracks at iun.edu2.com
