Learning & Tech❯Talks & Lectures

Untitled design (4).png

In partnership with the Lake Oswego Public Library and Key Bank, the Senior Scholar Program offers free, engaging academic classes designed especially for older adults. Explore topics in history, humanities, science, and technology while connecting with peers and nurturing a lifelong love of learning. Space is limited—registration is required.

• Location: LO Adult Community Center
• Cost: Free for all participants
• Registration Required: Call (503) 635-3758
• Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.

Upcoming Fall 2026 Lectures

The Neurobiology of Awe: Reshaping the Aging Brain

Thursday, September 10 • 10–11:30 a.m.

Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dr. Lynne Shinto, Professor of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)

Uncover the transformative power of wonder and its tangible biological impacts. Dr. Lynne Shinto walks us through how intentional, everyday moments of awe physically reshape the neural architecture of the aging brain. Discover the fascinating science behind how experiencing wonder sparks fresh neural pathways, lowers cellular inflammation, and actively stimulates cognitive vitality to keep our minds sharp and resilient.

About the Instructor:
Dr. Lynne Shinto is a Professor of Neurology at OHSU, focusing on neurological health, brain longevity, and integrative medical approaches to cognitive well-being.

Course ID: 34834 – Free

Chinese Cowboys of the American West: A Forgotten Legacy

Tuesday, October 6 • 10–11:30 a.m.

Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dale Hom, Author and Historical Researcher

Step onto the rugged, untamed frontier to uncover a vital yet frequently overlooked chapter of American heritage. Through meticulous historical research and vibrant archival illustrations, author Dale Hom brings the deeply impactful legacy of Chinese cowboys to life. Explore how these resilient individuals shaped the ranching industries and livestock traditions of the 19th-century American West despite structural and cultural hurdles.

About the Instructor:
Dale Hom is a dedicated author and researcher who specializes in unearthing and preserving marginalized histories and cultural narratives of the early American West.

Course ID: 34829 – Free

Linguistic Archaeology: The Story of Chinook Jargon

Thursday, November 5 • 10–11:30 a.m.

Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by David Douglas Robertson, PhD, Linguist and Historian

Unlock the profound linguistic history hidden within the early Pacific Northwest landscape. Dr. David Douglas Robertson guides us through a fascinating linguistic deep dive into Chinook Jargon, the historic trade language that blended Indigenous and European tongues. Learn how this unique hybrid form of communication served as a cultural bridge and vital economic lifeline that fundamentally shaped the early communities of the Willamette Valley.

About the Instructor:
Dr. David Douglas Robertson is an expert linguist and leading authority on Pacific Northwest languages, specializing in the historical preservation of regional dialects.

Course ID: 34830 – Free

The Carbon Footprint of the Cloud: Data, AI, and the Environment

Thursday, December 3 • 10–11:30 a.m.

Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dr. Christof Teuscher, Professor at Portland State University (PSU)

Look behind the digital curtain of our hyper-connected lives. PSU Professor Dr. Christof Teuscher reveals the immense, often invisible environmental impact of the massive data centers and straining power grids that fuel our daily internet use and the current AI boom. This talk breaks down the physical resource realities of modern technology and offers practical frameworks for practicing sustainable digital stewardship in our personal lives.

About the Instructor:
Dr. Christof Teuscher is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at PSU, researching next-generation computing architectures and the intersection of technology and sustainability.

Course ID: 34892 – Free

Program Highlights

• Diverse Course Offerings: Explore wide-ranging topics that stimulate curiosity and broaden understanding.
• Engaging Learning Environment: Lectures encourage thoughtful discussion and shared insights.
• Community Connection: Build relationships with fellow lifelong learners.
• Expert Instructors: Courses are taught by accomplished university scholars.
• Supports Cognitive Health & Well-Being: Lifelong learning promotes curiosity, connection, and mental vitality.

Registration Details

• Cost: Free for all participants
• Registration Required: Call (503) 635-3758
• Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.

Past Talks

Explore recordings, resources, and summaries from previous Senior Scholar presentations:

Spring/Summer 2026 Lectures

• Who Tells the Story? (June 18, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. David G. Lewis, Oregon State University. Discover how Native histories are researched and reconstructed through federal archives. Highlights the importance of Indigenous perspectives and representation in reshaping historical narratives.
  OSU Faculty Profile | PSU Profile | NDN History Research Website
• The Global Rise of Authoritarianism (May 12, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. Lindsay J. Benstead, Portland State University. Discover the global forces shaping democracy today, including democratic backsliding, election interference, and the rise of authoritarian leaders worldwide.
  PSU Faculty Profile | Wilson Center Profile
• Social Media & Society (June 9, 2026)
  Presented by Donna Z. Davis, Ph.D., University of Oregon. Explore how social media has transformed relationships, civic life, and community, highlighting isolation, algorithm-driven polarization, and structural platform decline.
  UO Faculty Profile | Oregon Reality Lab
• CANCELLED - Protest in America (March 17, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. Patricia A. Schechter, Portland State University. An planned in-depth conversation about the history of protest movements, civic engagement, and social activism within the United States.
  PSU Faculty Profile

Archive Links

• Witches & Witch-Hunters: Fear and Power in History
  View Past Talk Summary
• Medical Gaslighting
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Epidemiology of Gun Violence
  View Past Talk Summary
• Deconstructing Deception: Understanding Conspiracy Theories
  View Past Talk Summary
• Walls that Speak: Murals and Street Art as Voices of Social Change
  View Past Talk Summary
• Family Estrangement in Modern Families
  View Past Talk Summary
• How A.I. is Shaping Our Future and the Ethical Implications
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Role of Immigration in Shaping Our Communities
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Science of Climate Change
  View Past Talk Summary

Discover how contemporary AI applications can serve as powerful tools for independent living, lifelong learning, and daily problem-solving. This interactive workshop demonstrates practical accessibility functions hidden inside everyday tech, such as instant text-to-speech audio conversion, natural voice-command interactions, and real-time smartphone image recognition (perfect for reading small labels or identifying objects). Moving into deeper research skills, we will outline advanced prompting methods while unpacking the distinct structural limits of large language models. Learn exactly why AI should never replace professional advisory services, and discover specific strategies for spotting online medical misinformation.

For this session, participants are asked to bring smartphones, laptops or tablets with internet access. Hands-on activities will also include more in-depth prompt writing techniques.

Taught by Adult Services Librarian April Younglove of the Lake Oswego Public Library, with one‑on‑one assistance provided by students from the Lake Youth Leadership Council.

For more information and to register for this free class, please call the Adult Community Center at (503) 635-3758. This class will take place at the Adult Community Center, located at 505 G Avenue, Lake Oswego. This event is sponsored by the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center and the Lake Oswego Public Library.

Join Clackamas County Medicare expert volunteers (SHIBA) for a monthly, four-part series designed to empower you with clear, unbiased information. Break down the essentials, explore your coverage options, and learn to secure your benefits confidently.
Cost for each class: Resident & Non-Resident FREE

New Series for Navigating Medicare

Medicare 101: Navigating the Essentials

Get a comprehensive, easy-to-understand overview of the foundational pieces of Medicare. This introductory session breaks down the core components of the system, helping you understand what each part covers and how they fit together. We will demystify the enrollment timeline, clarify the crucial differences between initial and general enrollment periods, and provide clear guidance on how to avoid lifelong late-enrollment penalties. Perfect for those turning 65 or anyone wanting a clear refresher.

Topics Covered:

• Deconstructing Parts A, B, C, and D: Who qualifies, what is covered, and out-of-pocket expectations
• Understanding initial enrollment windows, special enrollment periods, and critical deadlines
• Navigating the choice between Original Medicare (with a Medigap policy) and Medicare Advantage

Date / Time: Wed 9/16 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Event Code: 34888
Learn More: Clackamas County SHIBA Services

Medicare Plan Finder Demonstration: Hands-On Tools for Smart Choices

Don't guess when it comes to your healthcare coverage. This practical session features a live, step-by-step demonstration of the official Medicare Plan Finder online tool. Learn how to securely build a profile, accurately input your current prescription drugs, and compare available medical and pharmacy plans in your zip code side-by-side. You will leave with the confidence to independently evaluate plans and find the specific coverage that best fits your medical needs and budget.

Topics Covered:

• Navigating the official Medicare.gov portal and setting up a personalized account safely
• How to input specific prescription drug names and dosages to get highly accurate annual cost estimates
• Comparing plan premiums, deductibles, and star quality ratings for local coverage choices

Date / Time: Wed 10/21 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Event Code: 34889

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: Maximizing Value, Lowering Costs

Prescription medication can be one of the highest out-of-pocket expenses for seniors. This class dives deep into Medicare Part D and the prescription drug components of Medicare Advantage plans. Learn how insurance networks handle medication costs, discover how to navigate complex drug formularies and tier structures, and explore the lifecycle of coverage phases, including the coverage gap. Most importantly, SHIBA experts will share practical, legal strategies to reduce your monthly pharmacy out-of-pocket expenses.

Topics Covered:

• How formularies work and how tier systems directly impact your medication copays
• Navigating coverage phases and understanding how out-of-pocket threshold limits affect you
• Practical cost-saving tips, including mail-order options, generic substitutions, and extra help programs

Date / Time: Wed 11/18 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Event Code: 34890

Medicare Fraud Prevention: Protecting Your Identity and Benefits

Protect your health, your identity, and your hard-earned benefits from exploitation. Presented in partnership with the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), this crucial session teaches you how to spot, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. Learn how to audit your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) for discrepancies, identify common scams targeting seniors during open enrollment periods, and discover simple steps to protect your personal Medicare number from identity thieves.

Topics Covered:

• The primary signs of Medicare fraud, deceptive marketing practices, and current regional scams
• How to read and verify your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) and Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
• Action steps to safely report suspected errors and secure your personal information

Date / Time: Wed 12/16 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Event Code: 34891

Join Adult Services Librarian April Younglove from the Lake Oswego Public Library for a hands-on, four-part series designed to demystify artificial intelligence. Learn how to navigate the digital world, protect your privacy, and use AI tools with confidence and skepticism. Sessions include clear, live demonstrations, interactive discussions, and personalized tech support. Free for all participants.

• Cost: Free for both residents and non-residents
• Requirements: Please bring a smartphone, laptop, or tablet with internet access for the hands-on practice portions.

Upcoming Fall 2026 AI Toolkit Lineup

Demystifying AI: Intro to AI (Part 1)

Foundations for Everyday Use

Kick off the series by stripping away the tech jargon and discovering how artificial intelligence can simplify your day-to-day life. This foundational session introduces core AI concepts and terminology—including AI summarizers, generative chatbots, and natural prompting—in clear, approachable language. Through live demonstrations of Claude AI, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT, you will learn how to safely use these tools to brainstorm recipes, plan custom travel itineraries, and organize daily tasks. We will introduce the essential "Ask–Tweak–Verify" (ATV) framework alongside critical privacy guidelines to ensure you protect your personal data right from the start.

One-on-one lab assistance is proudly provided by student volunteers from the Lake Youth Leadership Council to help you configure settings on your personal devices.

Date / Time: Tuesday, September 15 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Class Number: 34825

Demystifying AI: Chatbot Practice (Part 2)

Hands-On Skills and Sandbox Practice

Build directly upon your foundational knowledge with a supportive, highly interactive sandbox session dedicated to mastering digital assistants. In Part 2, participants shift from watching demonstrations to writing and refining their own prompts. Under patient guidance, you will practice conversational techniques, discover how subtle shifts in word choices yield dramatically improved answers, and learn how to implement standard internet safety boundaries. A major focus of this workshop will be learning how to cross-reference and fact-check chatbot output to ensure your digital interactions remain secure, accurate, and productive.

Personalized, one-on-one tech support will be provided throughout the hands-on practice intervals by members of the Lake Youth Leadership Council.

Date / Time: Tuesday, October 20 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Class Number: 34826

AI as an Accessibility & Information Tool

Helping Seniors Navigate Daily Life With Confidence

Discover how contemporary AI applications can serve as powerful tools for independent living, lifelong learning, and daily problem-solving. This interactive workshop demonstrates practical accessibility functions hidden inside everyday tech, such as instant text-to-speech audio conversion, natural voice-command interactions, and real-time smartphone image recognition (perfect for reading small labels or identifying objects). Moving into deeper research skills, we will outline advanced prompting methods while unpacking the distinct structural limits of large language models. Learn exactly why AI should never replace professional advisory services, and discover specific strategies for spotting online medical misinformation.

Personalized, one-on-one tech support will be provided throughout the hands-on practice intervals by members of the Lake Youth Leadership Council.

Date / Time: Tuesday, November 17 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Class Number: 34827

AI Safety, Fact Checking & Avoiding Misinformation

Becoming a Confident, Critical AI User

The final installation equips you with an essential digital defense toolkit to evaluate whether online content is authentic, accurate, and trustworthy. We will break down common system errors, reveal how "hallucinations" occur, and introduce quick, library-approved methods for verifying data across independent sources. Crucially, this session helps participants recognize how malicious actors deploy technology for modern fraudulent schemes—including cloning voices for identity scams, fabricating hyper-realistic deepfakes, and pushing complex cryptocurrency traps. Leave with the confidence and critical awareness needed to enjoy modern digital conveniences safely and securely.

Personalized, one-on-one tech support will be provided throughout the hands-on practice intervals by members of the Lake Youth Leadership Council.

Date / Time: Tuesday, December 15 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Class Number: 34828

Past Digital Dive Presentations & Resources

Missed a previous session? Access archived video recordings, interactive presentation slides, and educational handouts from our past technology literacy classes below:

Is It AI or Is It Real? How to Spot Computer-Generated Content Like a Librarian (Digital Dive #1)

Explore the sophisticated tools and methodologies professional librarians utilize to identify computer-generated texts, altered documents, and artificial imagery. This session provides actionable, real-world clues to help you differentiate between genuine human creations and artificial content in your daily newsfeeds and correspondence.

This class was originally presented at the Lake Oswego Public Library.

• Watch the Presentation Video on YouTube
• View Interactive Presentation Slides
• Download Class Instructional Handout

Why Does Fake Information Exist? Understanding the Motives Behind Misinformation

Navigate the rapidly-evolving digital landscape with clarity and balance. This session pulls back the curtain on automated "content farms," breaking down how social media algorithms, financial pay-per-click incentives, and strategic influence campaigns purposefully accelerate the distribution of false narratives. Learn to evaluate source motivations and protect your digital footprint from predatory content design.

This class was originally presented at the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center.

• Watch the Presentation Video on YouTube
• View Interactive Presentation Slides
• Download Class Instructional Handout

For questions or more information regarding our technology programs, please contact Adult Services Librarian April Younglove at [email protected].