ACTC Update for June 24, 2012

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July Lifelong Learning Classes at ACTC

Ashland Community and Technical College is offering adult personal interest classes in July to put a new spark into your summer routine. Several youth camps are also offered to give young people new types of summer experiences that build skills through enjoyable activities.

The classes are held at ACTC’s College Drive Campus. To register or for more information, contact Lifelong Learning, 606-326-2072, 800-928-4256 ext. 62072, or email: as_LLL@kctcs.edu.

Couponing: Frugal Living for Big Spending 

Times are tough and money is tight, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice everything. In this couponing class, instructor Melinda Hester will provide tips and strategies to stretch each dollar to its maximum potential. Hester is an experienced couponer, and she has a new couponing column in The Independent.

Participants will learn how to organize and build their coupons, when and how to use them, and how to keep up with changes to couponing rules. Participants will also find out how coupons can help pay for vacations and other extras all year long. These tips are ready to use right after each class and sometimes can even be used during class.

Those who have dabbled in couponing can learn to build a routine that saves them money every week. People who do not normally use coupons for themselves can learn about couponing as a way to help community food banks, church food pantries and other community service organizations.

Held Thursdays, July 19 to Aug. 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the class is $19.  Tips from this class might help you save that much the first week.

Intro to Photography

Are you baffled by your camera or struggling with the manual settings? Learn how to use all of your digital or SLR camera features in this Intro to Photography class.  J. Bird Cremeans, a local wedding and portrait photographer, will give one-on-one instruction, detailed notes and fun homework assignments designed to help you learn how to use your camera.

The class will be held Mondays, July 16 to Aug. 20, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The fee is $69 plus any film processing costs.

Intro to Photography Part 2

Once you've learned how to operate your camera in manual mode, move on to the next level with this more advanced class.  Instructor J. Bird Cremeans will give you tips and homework assignments to help you develop a more creative eye. You'll also learn how to pose individuals and groups of people in your own home studio that the instructor will show you how to make.

The class will meet Tuesdays, July 17 to Aug. 21, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  The fee is $75 plus any film processing costs.

Photoshop

Don't let Photoshop intimidate you! You can learn what you need to know through hands-on training with J. Bird Cremeans, a local photographer and artist who has been using Photoshop since 1999.

With Photoshop, you can crop, add text, add borders and frames, create textures, change colors, combine parts of different photos, add graphics and create artistic effects.  You can improve the appearance of your photos or create one-of-a kind designs for note cards, invitations, labels, photo albums, newsletters or web postings.

This class is ideal for anyone interested in photography, graphic design, photo restoration, scrapbooking or desktop publishing. The class will meet Wednesdays, July 18 to Aug. 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the fee is $75.

Writers’ Workshop

Are you looking for inspiration to spruce up your characters or trying to polish that pesky first draft? Writers of all fiction types and genres can find help and support in this Writers’ Workshop held Mondays, July 9 to 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Participants will learn strategies for developing in-depth characters, building scenes and plotting critical story points. They will also get important feedback on their writing through interactive workshop sessions. The class fee is $29.

July Youth Camps

ACTC has expanded summer camp opportunities for elementary to middle school students with new one-week camps that focus on science, technology and critical thinking skills.

Hyper Peppy Robotics Camp gives students ages six to 13 the chance to build robots that have a sound activator and a touch sensor for navigation. In addition to building a robot to take home, each student will build other robots as a part of a small group. This camp on technology, engineering and the future of robotic technology will be held July 9 to 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  The $150 fee includes materials for the robot.

Make It and Take It Home Science Projects for ages six to 13 includes a wide assortment of hands-on science projects. Projects include a crystal tree, energy bead bracelet, electric motor, bubbling, silly putty, glowing goo, green flubber and a new kind of home-made ice cream. The Science Projects Camp will be held July 9 to 13, from 12:45 to 3:45 p.m., and the fee is $150.

Team Advanced Survival Course (T.A.S.C.) will help youth10 to 15 build critical thinking and survival skills. Each day, students will work in teams that must use problem solving and prioritizing skills to respond to disaster scenarios.  They will then learn the first aid, navigation, and basic survival skills needed for those emergencies. T.A.S.C. is July 16 to 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and the fee is $125.

The Robotics and Science Project Camps are at the Roberts Drive Campus, and T.A.S.C. location is still being determined. Enrollment is through ACTC Lifelong Learning, 606-326-2072 or 800-928-4256 ext. 62072, email: as_LLL@kctcs.edu.

LLL Teachers Needed

ACTC Lifelong Learning is looking for people who would like to teach others about their favorite subject.

Your hobby, your area of expertise at work, or your experience with a particular topic can qualify you to teach others. And if you enjoy working with people, your knowledge or skill can become an enjoyable activity as well as a source of income.

Previous instructors have been professionals, arts/crafts specialists, hobbyists, elementary through post-secondary instructors, and elementary education majors who have skills and interests to share.

People who want to help others learn can be effective teachers, even without previous teaching experience.

Classes are short term, usually requiring one to three sessions to complete.  Most are offered in the evenings to help people fit classes into their busy schedules.

Previous personal interest topics have included art, photography, prose and poetry writing, stained glass, musical instruments, cake decorating, couponing, woodworking, theater, genealogy, retirement planning and investment strategies.

Professional development classes have included resume building, grant writing, sign language, foreign languages, and computer classes in basic skills as well as specific software programs such as Quick Books, Excel, Photoshop and MovieMaker.

“We would also like to find instructors for new classes requested by area residents,” said Karen Coburn, ACTC Lifelong Learning Coordinator. “These would include classes on iPod or mobile phone apps, growing house plants/horticulture, sewing and knitting, recycling, healthy eating, yoga/easy fitness, crafts and do-it-yourself home improvement projects.”

To explore your teaching options in Lifelong Learning, contact Coburn at 606-326-2129 or e-mail: kcoburn0007@kctcs.edu.

GED Graduation

The ACTC / Boyd County Adult Learning Center will hold the 2012 GED Graduation on Sunday, June 24, at 3:00 p.m. at the College Drive Campus. Approximately sixty-five students have attained their GED through the Center since July 2011.

State Senator Walter “Doc” Blevins will be the guest speaker, and one or two of the GED graduates will give remarks. In addition to their GED recognition, each graduate will receive a Kentucky Senate Certificate from Senator Blevins and a Kentucky House of Representatives Certificate sponsored by State Representatives Rocky Adkins and Kevin Sinnette.

The GED ceremony and reception are free and open to the public.