On August 6, ScienceWorks joined the excitement at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Open House, held from 1 to 4 PM at the SOU Student Union. This annual event is OLLI’s biggest of the year, bringing together community members, SOU staff, and partner organizations to showcase upcoming courses and activities.

Education Manager Johnnie Snow and Exhibits & Facilities Coordinator Liz Koonce represented ScienceWorks with one of our favorite tools for hands-on exploration — drones! We had multiple drones on display for visitors to hold, explore, and ask questions about. The afternoon was filled with lively conversations about drone technology, their use across different sectors, and the big questions surrounding safety and legality.

This fall, Johnnie and Liz will dive deeper into this topic by teaching “Introduction to Drones” through OLLI. Designed for beginners, this four-week course will guide participants in learning how to safely and confidently operate drones, while gaining insight into regulations and procedures. Guest speakers from environmental science and military/defense fields will highlight how drones are used in conservation, disaster response, and strategic operations.

📅 Introduction to Drones – In Person

• Dates: September 17 to October 8
• Time: Wednesdays, 9 to 10:30 AM
• Location: ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum, 1500 E. Main St.
• Instructors: Johnnie Snow & Liz Koonce
• Enrollment: Limited to 10 participants

No prior experience with drones or technology is required — just curiosity and a willingness to explore!