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Forever Learning Institute
Stay sharp with the spring 2022 curriculum from the Forever Learning Institute! Follow one of our thematic tracks or drop into classes that interest you. There’s no need to commit entirely — participate as much or as little as you like via our live events. And, if you missed them, catch up on all previous FLI events on our YouTube page.
Materials Science: Designing a Better World
How do we look beyond convention and create the next generation of materials to propel our inventions and society further? Healing fractured ribs with novel adhesives. Harvesting solar power with renewable cells 100 times lighter than existing technology. Creating metamaterial devices that scan agricultural fields for more efficient fertilizer distribution. Discover how Duke is championing engineering for a future that solves our most challenging problems with devices, tools and applications of unparalleled societal good.
For additional information check out also Duke’s Materials Initiative and the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science.
- January 25 — What is Materials Science?
- February 22 — Nurturing Nature: Improving Health with Biomaterials
- March 29 — Accelerated Materials Discovery: Partnering Artificial Intelligence and Computation
- April 26 — Planet Saving Science: Addressing Climate Change with Sustainable and Energy Materials
- May 24 — Metamaterials: What Are They and What Do They Do?
The World of Water
Access to water is a main component in human survival throughout history. Clean drinking water, plentiful water for agriculture, navigable waterways for commerce, rivers for hydropower, water sources for fisheries — all of these aquatic considerations and many more drive whether entire societies succeed or fail. Dive in with us as we explore the liquid of life.
- February 8 — The Value of Water
- March 15— The Politics of Water: Equity at Half Empty or Half Full?
- April 5 — The Health of the Water: Where Quality Matters
- May 10 — Humans and Water: Managing our Most Precious Resource
ICYMI
If you were unable to attend sessions from our spring 2021 and fall 2021 tracks, we have made them all available to view at your convenience. Dig into courses on the Human Experience, Social Movements, America Today, Advancing Health and Wellness, Artificial Intelligence, Solving Wicked Problems, and our professional development seminars.
Body
Each academic track includes a combination of lectures, panel discussions, online courses, recommended readings and workshops that you can complete at your own pace. Plus, tune in for monthly live engagements to get your questions answered by Duke experts and have engaging, thought-provoking conversations with fellow alumni. Live sessions of all academic events are recorded and will be posted on the Duke Alumni Lifelong Learning YouTube Channel.
What are you waiting for? Feel like a student again and register for the new semester!