Brief Description:

Assuming no prior knowledge, as celestial traveller’s we’ll obtain a step-by-step overview of this amazing cosmos, through the full-spectrum eyes of our present golden era of astronomy and the new age of precision cosmology, with a grand tour of the Solar System, galaxy and beyond. Starting outwards from our favourite star, passing the asteroids and planets of our small corner of the Universe, and beyond into the wider stellar neighbourhood. Taking in cosmic wonders of our Galaxy along the way, from the gentle birth of stars to their cataclysmic demise, pulsars to black holes, we’ll enter the domain of the Local group and super clusters beyond, formed by billions of galaxies, as many as stars in our galaxy, shaped into vast filaments around vast cosmic voids. This cosmic vista will take in galaxies colliding and cannablising, fantastically sized black holes feasting on stars and illuminating the cosmos over vast distances, and perhaps the most violent of all events as we witness the birth scream of black holes. Finally, taking a peak behind the curtain of the Cosmic Microwave Background to wonder at how it all began in the cosmic fireball of the Big Bang, the origin of all that we know. So if you truly wish to expand your horizons, and occasionally blow your mind in the process, then please join me for this one truly amazing journey as we explore the full ‘Big History’ of our cosmos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8zZZZzppIM

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

None.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:
• Gain an understanding of our place, relationship to, and a sense of scale to the cosmos we inhabit.
• Understand the key components the cosmos, and the inter-relationship between them.
• A better understanding of the science of astronomy encountered on all aspects of the media, and the significance of new discoveries.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

None.

For the first session you will need to bring:

Nothing.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

• Renewed confidence to extend your knowledge by reviewing on-line teaching materials, for example via YouTube, or perhaps the ESA astronomy teaching tool ESASky.
• Gained the confidence to consider taking this topic further with other available courses, for example at ICE or IoA.

Testimonies from learners who have already completed this course at a different venue:

Quote 3 (Mar 2019): A very big thank-you from me for your enthusiasm, passion and ability to convey very complex cosmological events into layman’s terms and analogies that I could understand.  I think that everyone in the class stayed the full course should be testimony to your skills as a science communicator. I now have a very interesting playlist of videos and astronomy groups on YouTube to sustain my interest in the biggest questions we could ever ask.  The fantastic thing I have found is that every week had some incredible facts that I have been sharing with friends and family which always instigated big debates, everyone seemingly has a vested interest in the cosmos. Thank-you for increasing awareness of the IoA and will hopefully get to a lecture in the autumn as the nights draw in.

Quote 2 (Nov 2018): I wanted to thank you for making the course so interesting. It’s an amazing subject, but your enthusiasm added an extra dimension to our learning. I have done courses before where teaching appeared to be a chore for the lecturer, but you put so much of yourself into the course that it became inspiring. Thanks again, we shall find Monday evenings a lot less interesting now!

Quote 1 (Nov 2018): Thank you SO much for your amazing course. It exceeded all my wildest expectations and rarely have 2 hours gone by so quickly. Your enthusiasm is infectious, your course notes excellent and delivery first class. It has been a great pleasure. I have had an amateur interest for very many years with visits to the IoA and other places, lots of BBC Horizon programmes and some astronomical binoculars – your course has added a structure and understanding that I never had as well as a desire to carry on learning. I feel i now have a framework to do this.

Ecology and Conservation for Families – Climate Change and Consequences

Brief Description:

Come along with any member of your family or friends (price is for 2 learners) to the first of our four workshops. You will gain greater ecological awareness and an insight into the area of conservation (in this particular workshop Climate Change and the consequences).
In each workshop there will be the chance to get to know specific charities and NGOs (non-governmental organisation) working in that area.
There will be children specific activities such as puzzles, quizzes, games, painting and face painting.
Adults can follow presentations and discuss the issues in small groups.

Topic of 4th Workshop (Saturday 18th May 2019): Climate Change and Consequences

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

No previous experience or knowledge is required.

Learning Outcomes:

Discuss the consequences of climate change

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

None

For the session you will need to bring:

Just yourself and any family or friend.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Follow courses in Ecology on www.futurelearn.com
Durrell Conservation Academy offers “Durrell Endangered Species Management Graduate Certificate”
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

The course is run on an informal basis to help you feel at ease. Each week you will be provided with a recipe for which you will need to obtain the ingredients. You will learn to make your own bread including sour dough along with techniques such as kneeding, proving and shaping. Expect to see some of the following recipes covered in the course: scones, pizza, easy bread bloomer, baked doughnuts, baguette, ciabatta.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

None

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the 4 week course participants will have the opportunity to:
• Explore and make a range of breads
• Gain confidence to experiment further on your own using skills learnt in the lesson
• Improve your basic methods of preparation of food and cooking
• Develop a better understanding of food hygiene in the kitchen.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

You will be given an ingredients list weekly and will be asked to bring the ingredients for the following week’s recipe at a cost of between £5 to £10 (max) weekly.

For the first session you will need to bring:

£3.00 for ingredients. Apron, Tea Towel, Dish Cloth.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

The college offers lots of exciting cookery classes throughout the year.
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

Have you ever wanted to make your own bread? This one day course will introduce you to the basic principles of bread making and go onto push the horizons a little and inspire you to try some new breads at home. Ideal for those who have already done the introduction 5 week course or are complete beginners.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

Suitable for both beginners and those who have already done the introduction 5 week course.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course you will have the opportunity to:
• Make a range of breads with confidence
• Gain confidence to experiment further on your own.
• Build confidence and enjoyment in cooking.
• Improve your basic methods of preparation of food and cooking
• Develop a better understanding of food hygiene in the kitchen.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

Ingredients for the day is included in the course fee.

For the session you will need to bring….

An apron, tea towel and airy container to take warm bread home in.

Please also bring a Packed Lunch for the day and a small amount of money for tea and coffee which will be available through-out the day.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Your tutor will advise.
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

This course will show you how to produce dishes that will earn you compliments whilst building your confidence in the kitchen. A typical cookery evening will commence with the tutor providing a demonstration of the recipe that you will be cooking, this usually take 30 minutes. During the demonstration they will provide pointers such as knife skills and kitchen safety. Once the demonstration is complete you will have the chance to sample the dish. Then it is your time to cook at your own pace, your tutor is very much hands on and will guide you from start to finish.
Once you have finished cooking and cleaned and washed down, the following weeks recipe is handed out so as you can obtain the ingredients in plenty of time for the following weeks lesson. Each lesson is a total of 2 and a half hours long. You will need to bring a dishcloth, tea towel and containers to take your food home in. The lessons are run on an informal basis, which is fun to do whilst learning some new recipes and techniques.
The dishes to be made over the 4 weeks are:
● Rissóis de camarão/ Spicy prawn turnovers
● Introduction to Cod-fish- Bacalhau com natas/ Gratinated Cod-fish
● Pastéis de bacalhau- Pataniscas de bacalhau/ Cod-fish cakes- Cod-fish fried dumplings
● Arroz de polvo/ Octopus Carolino rice

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed.

None

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the 4-week course you will have the opportunity to:
● Learn and improve practical skills.
● Help to build confidence and enjoyment in cooking.
● Understand the benefits in eating fish and seafood more often they are among the healthiest foods in the world, high in protein, low in fat, rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which are very important for your body and brain.
● Distinguish between wild and farmed fish/ seafood.
● Understand the importance of health and safety in the kitchen.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

You will be given an ingredients list weekly and will be asked to bring the ingredients for the following week’s recipe at a cost of between £8-£15 weekly. For the first week the ingredients will be supplied.

For the first session you will need to bring:

£4.00 for ingredients has been added to the cost of the course for the first week.
Please bring an Apron, Tea Towel, Dish Cloth. You will also need to bring a container to take cooked goods home.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

The college offers lots of exciting cookery classes throughout the year. The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

A course centered around working with timber. You will be learning and practicing the following joints: Half Lap, Mortice and Tenon, Dove Tail, T Halving, Bridal and Dowel Joint. Once you are confident with the individual joints, you can extend your learning by producing a five joint frame using all the skills learned constructing the individual joints. These joints are used in every day joinery projects. Once you have mastered these you can go on to make individual projects.
You will be shown how to use the tools correctly and how to sharpen/maintain carpentry hand tools.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

This is a course for beginners. No previous experience necessary.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course you will have the opportunity to:
• Identify and name common carpentry tools
• Know how to maintain carpentry tools
• Learn how to use them safely
• Produce woodwork joints

About Your Tutor:

Domenico Petrelli

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

If you choose to wear Steel Toe Capped Boots (which we recommend), these will cost approx. £20 from hardware stores.
The wood for the joint practice and 6 joint frame will be provided.

For the first session you will need to bring:

A pencil and notepad. No sandals, or open-toed shoes are allowed in a workshop setting. You are advised to wear steel toe cap boots in the workshop. Wood for the joints and frame project will be provided.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Your tutor will advise.
The Learn and Train office is also able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description

This course is suitable for you if you are a beginner with little or no musical knowledge or experience. Techniques and skills will be aimed at preparing you to play any style of guitar music. The course will provide an introduction to reading music and tablature, successful tuning and replacing strings, playing/performance techniques and building a repertoire of songs and exercises. You will need to bring your own guitar to classes.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

None.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course the participants will be able to:
1. Read music and understand musical terms to the 3rd level
2. Play major, minor and pentatonic scales with a mind to improvise
3. Extend repertoire of songs to the third level
4. Increase knowledge of chords and music theory and it’s use in more challenging material.
5. Develop picking, finger style and strumming techniques through study of new material

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

Cost of a method book available from the tutor at the first session. Approximate cost £5.50

For the first session you will need to bring:

One working guitar; acoustic, classical or steel string.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Your tutor will advise you.
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

It doesn’t take long to read a short story but it takes great skill to write one. Luckily, the craft involved can be taught and honed. On this course we will be examining the techniques writers employ, and the art of creating fictional worlds to enthral and delight readers. In addition, we will be exploring some of the paradigms widely used by writers today. As this is a course for those with some experience of writing short stories under their belt, it is not suitable for complete beginners.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

Some experience of writing short stories or other forms of storytelling such as novels. If you are unsure if the course is suitable contact the office who can pass on any questions to the tutor.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:
• Identify the various short story forms and relate them to genre
• Identify writing goals and ways of working to achieve them
• Give and receive targeted feedback
• Recognize the techniques employed in short story writing
• Identify strengths and areas for improvement in writing skills
• Craft a short story

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment

None.

For the first session you will need to bring:

Pen/pencil and paper

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Writing Life Stories
Flash Fiction workshop
Next Steps in Creative Writing.
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.