Studying animals reminds us not to judge, to communicate more honestly, and to learn what truly matters. Learning through animals makes us better humans.
Available courses include:
Intended to help students draw parallels between humans and non-human animals, and learn from them how we can become better communicators, judge less and learn what truly matters in life. Using images, video, the latest scientific research and open discussion, this course is a primer on the behavior of non-human and human animals alike, including the definition of intelligence; different kinds of minds, needs and environments; the parallels in emotions and behavior; herd/pack/group behavior and hierarchy; the science of emotions that we all share; etc. Learning about animals helps us learn about ourselves without putting the focus on ourselves. This course can be adapted to several session lengths and for different age groups/grade levels.
Syllabus available upon request.
A follow-up to Inter-Species Communication and Animal Behavior, this course reminds us there is so much more to know about how our, and other animals' behaviors, aid (or hinder!) our relationships and our outcomes. Using images, video, the latest scientific research and open discussion, this class highlights some fascinating things like how cats see the world with their noses; how looking at the hair whorls on horses (and in many other mammals) can tell us something about their character; what we can learn about the mind-body connection from sea squirts; or how eliminating the dreaded mosquito is not just an environmental question but also an ethical one! Join us to discover more of the things that connect humans and animals and that teach us to walk a mile in each other's...paws.
Syllabus available upon request.
When humans say someone is "behaving like an animal," it is intended as an insult but we humans are really far more aggressive than our non-human cousins. After all, we are super predators! Aggression has a very high cost in the animal world so animals engage in many fascinating behaviors to avoid it. Could we learn from them about how to curb our aggression and get along better? Using images, video, the latest scientific research and open discussion, this course looks at several examples of effective communication and aggression avoidance in the animal kingdom and reviews our past and modern history as super predators.
Syllabus available upon request.
A practicum is a hands-on course, typically involving many/all aspects of a concrete project. Many interesting life questions and issues are addressed with this type of course, including ethical questions about the needs and treatment of fellow beings; the use of math theorems to calculate design measurements; basic accounting and budgeting; and practical construction experience. Past practica have included: 1) Research on the nutritional, habitat and welfare needs of a flock of egg-laying chickens; Design and planning (including constraints); Materials research and budgeting; and Construction of the chicken coop, 2) Research on the nutritional, habitat and welfare needs of hamsters; Design, planning (including constraints) and budgeting of the ideal hamster habitat; Construction of the hamster habitat, etc.
Beyond the hands-on fun, this course offers lessons in responsibility, the welfare of others, and budget and life constraints.
The history of humanity was changed by the horse. These amazing prey animals allow humans - a predator- to ride them, direct them and be-friend them, when almost every instinct tells them to run from predators. But they are gregarious and curious animals, and those two characteristics allow us to discover so much more about them...and ourselves. Horsemanship, equine husbandry and horseback riding teach us to be patient, compassionate, committed, and grateful. Horses make us better humans.