Gary, Ind. — Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs that aim to assist people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.

CURE offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University/Senior Planet, and Adult Education programs. CURE is now enrolling for the following offerings:

Senior University, Senior Planet and Adult Education Courses

For Senior University/Senior Planet and Adult Education courses, register online at the link below or call 219-980-6907 unless otherwise noted.

Register for courses here

Senior Planet: Understanding Fraud & Scams

1 to 2:15 p.m., Thursday, March 5
In-Person at the Maria Reiner Center, Hobart
Registration Deadline: March 3
Free and open to adults age 60+

The ability to spot a scam is an essential digital skill. In this lecture, we’ll review some of the most common scams, offer tips for avoiding them, and go over what to do if you do get scammed. We’ll look at sample emails, texts, and deepfakes to see how AI contributes to the increased spread and complexity of scams. We’ll also provide helpful resources for staying informed about the latest scams. 

Senior Planet: Everyday Uses of AI

1 to 2:15 p.m., Friday, March 6
In-Person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration Deadline: March 4
Free and open to adults age 60+

Everyone is talking about AI. Come to this class to be a part of the conversation! This lecture will show you the ways AI is already present in everyday tasks and how it is used in everything from voice assistants to customer service and healthcare. We’ll look at common applications of AI across multiple industries and discuss ways you too can take advantage of this influential technology. 

Community Garden: Building Bird Habitat at Home: Introducing a New Native Landscaping Guide

12 to 1 p.m., Monday, March 9
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: March 8
Free and open to adults of all ages

From backyard songbirds to long-distance migrants, birds depend on healthy landscapes to survive – and your garden can be part of a much larger story. Katie Hobgood, Program Director at Save the Dunes, this presentation introduces “Living in the Dunes: A Homeowner’s Landscaping Guide for Bird Conservation in Indiana’s Coastal Communities,” a new resource created by Save the Dunes to help Northwest Indiana gardeners transform home landscapes into meaningful bird habitat. We’ll explore why birds are drawn to our region, what they need from the landscapes they move through, and how native plants can support both resident and migratory species. Participants will learn how the guide is organized and how to use it as a practical tool for building bird habitat right outside their door. 

Senior Planet: Intro to AI

1 to 2:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 11
In-Person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: March 9
Free and open to adults age 60+

Curious about AI? Want to know more about Chat GPT? This lecture will introduce some of the basic concepts around artificial intelligence. We’ll talk about how AI is being used today, what its current limitations are, and how it will shape the future! 

Senior Planet: Digital Tools for Brain Health

12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Friday, March 13
In-Person at the Duneland Family YMCA, Chesterton
Registration Deadline: March 11
Free and open to adults age 60+

Stay sharp with technology! In this lecture, we’ll explore digital tools to support habits that can help you stay sharp, including wearable devices, engaging websites, and informative podcasts. Discover practical resources to keep your mind active and enhance your cognitive wellbeing in today’s digital world. 

Senior Planet: Digital Tools for Brain Health

2 to 3:15 p.m., Tuesday, March 17
In-Person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration Deadline: March 15
Free and open to adults age 60+

Stay sharp with technology! In this lecture, we’ll explore digital tools to support habits that can help you stay sharp, including wearable devices, engaging websites, and informative podcasts. Discover practical resources to keep your mind active and enhance your cognitive wellbeing in today’s digital world. 

Senior Planet: P2P Payments

10 to 11:15 a.m., Thursday, March 19
In-Person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration Deadline: March 17
Free and open to adults age 60+

Since PayPal debuted over twenty years ago, person-to-person payments have become commonplace. In this lecture, you’ll learn about some of today’s most popular P2P payment services, including PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp. We’ll cover some of the basic functions of these services, how they compare, and tips for using them safely. 

Adult Ed/Senior U: SilverSneakers Seminar: A Senior Fitness Program

1 to 2 p.m., Friday, March 20
Concurrent: Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: March 17
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join John Bobalik, ACSM-Certified Exercise Physiologist with an MS in Exercise Physiology, to learn about SilverSneakers, a nation-wide senior health and fitness program that is available at no cost for those with qualifying Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plans. Attendees will learn about the program, how to determine their eligibility, and participating fitness locations in our area. We will also discuss several similar health insurance fitness programs. 

Adult Ed/Senior U: Financial Guidance for an Even Better Tomorrow: Credit Overview

2 to 3 p.m., Monday, March 23
Concurrent: Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: March 22
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join Centier Bank for a lively discussion about Credit. Not only will we explore the variety of credit terms, types, and the timeliness of your payments, you will walk away with knowledge that will empower you to take charge of your credit. 

Senior Planet: Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs at a Glance

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, March 27
In-Person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: March 25
Free and open to adults age 60+

Did you know that viruses are only one type of malware that can harm your computer? In this lecture, we will go over different types of malware and how they work. We will also introduce some anti-virus programs and malware removal software and go over how these tools can be used to prevent and get rid of malware infections. Attend this lecture to learn how to keep your device safe! 

Community Garden: Regenerative Pruning Workshop

3 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 31
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: March 29
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join Oakley Molinaro, master naturalist, and Dolly Foster, Purdue Extension Horticulture Program Assistant, at the IUN Community Garden and learn pruning techniques for fruiting trees. Annual pruning helps maintain tree health, improves fruit quality and quantity, and promotes strong structural growth. This workshop will cover pruning tools and tool maintenance and sanitation and demonstrations of pruning techniques, which participants will have a chance to practice. In the event of inclement weather, the session will be rescheduled for Thursday, April 2 at 3:00 pm. 

Senior Planet: Intro to Social Media

1 to 2:15 p.m., Friday, April 3
In-Person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration Deadline: April 1
Free and open to adults age 60+

Social media sites make it easy to share content and connect with other people online. In this presentation you’ll get a general intro to social media and learn about some of the more popular social media sites like Facebook, X, and TikTok. 

Senior U: Smartphones II for Androids

4:30 to 6 p.m., Tuesdays, April 7, 14, and 21
Concurrent: Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: March 29
Free and open to adults age 55+

If you have mastered sending text messages and making phone calls on your Android and are ready for the next level of smartphone usage, then register today for this 3-part series! In these sessions, Brittany Taylor will teach participants how to scan and send documents, copy and paste, and lock your private photos. Prerequisites: Participants should have an Android smartphone and have taken Smartphones I for Androids. Registration Priority: Will be given to those new to Smartphones II. 

Senior Planet: AI & Disinformation

1 to 2:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 8
In-Person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: April 6
Free and open to adults age 60+

Disinformation refers to false information created to mislead people, and it’s nothing new. But today’s AI-powered tools and social media have made it easier and faster to create and spread disinformation. In this lecture, we’ll explore how AI is used to create convincing deepfakes and clone voices, making it challenging to distinguish between real and fake content. We’ll also review best practices for evaluating information and explore tech tools that can help identify content created with AI. 

Senior U: Smartphones II for iPhones

4:30 to 6 p.m., Thursdays, April 9, 16, and 23
Concurrent: Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: March 31
Free and open to adults age 55+

If you have mastered sending text messages and making phone calls on your iPhone and are ready for the next level of smartphone usage, then register today for this 3-part series! In these sessions, Brittany Taylor will teach participants how to scan and send documents, copy and paste, and lock your private photos. Prerequisites: Participants should have an iPhone and have taken Smartphones I for iPhones.
Registration Priority: Will be given to those new to Smartphones II. 

Senior Planet: Everyday Uses of AI

12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Friday, April 10
In-Person at the Duneland Family YMCA, Chesterton
Registration Deadline: April 8
Free and open to adults age 60+

Everyone is talking about AI. Come to this class to be a part of the conversation! This lecture will show you the ways AI is already present in everyday tasks and how it is used in everything from voice assistants to customer service and healthcare. We’ll look at common applications of AI across multiple industries and discuss ways you too can take advantage of this influential technology. 

Senior Planet: Intro to Chatting with AI

2 to 3:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 14
In-Person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration Deadline: April 12
Free and open to adults age 60+

Curious about using ChatGPT or Gemini but not sure where to start? In this lecture, we’ll explore tips for using generative AI chat programs so you can make them work for you. You’ll learn how to write questions, or prompts, that are specific and effective at getting helpful responses. Whether you plan to use them at work, for personal projects, or just for fun, we’ll show you how this tech can help you with all sorts of tasks. We’ll also cover best practices for privacy and security so you can be a confident user. 

Senior U: Introduction to Knitting

1 to 3 p.m., Wednesdays, April 15, 22, and 29
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: April 7
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Jane Whedbee, fiber artist, knitter, and designer, for this beginner-level knitting series. Participants will learn the fundamental terminology and methods needed to follow a basic knitting pattern. This will include learning casting on (starting), mastering the core stitches and patterns, and binding off (finishing) a piece of knitted fabric. Knitting needles, yarn, and other basic materials will be provided. 

Senior Planet: Fitness Apps

10 to 11:15 a.m., Thursday, April 16
In-Person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration Deadline: April 14
Free and open to adults age 60+

Think that fitness apps are only for athletes? This lecture covers many different types of fitness apps, whatever your health and wellness goals. We’ll discuss free apps that can help you track your nutrition and activity, plan your workouts, and stay motivated. You’ll learn about the benefits of fitness apps and popular apps in each category. 

Community Garden: Meet the Trees: An Intro to Urban Forestry and Tree Identification

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, April 17
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: April 12
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join us for an engaging and practical introduction to Urban Forestry led by Certified Arborist Ryan Bennett. We will learn about the trees in our neighborhoods and the positive impact they have on our daily lives. This workshop is designed for those who desire to become better acquainted with their local canopy. It will begin indoors with a short talk, followed by a walking tour of the trees located on the IUN campus. Urban forestry is more than just trees – it’s about cultivating connection, stewardship, and the shared responsibility to ensure quality of life for future generations. Trees are our neighbors. In this session, we will explore the basics of tree identification skills, as well as how strategically planted and properly maintained trees add value to our natural ecosystem.

Senior Planet: Intro to AI

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Thursday, April 23
In-Person at the St. John Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: April 21
Free and open to adults age 60+

Curious about AI? Want to know more about Chat GPT? This lecture will introduce some of the basic concepts around artificial intelligence. We’ll talk about how AI is being used today, what its current limitations are, and how it will shape the future! 

Senior Planet: Understanding Fraud & Scams

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, April 24
In-Person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: April 22
Free and open to adults age 60+

The ability to spot a scam is an essential digital skill. In this lecture, we’ll review some of the most common scams, offer tips for avoiding them, and go over what to do if you do get scammed. We’ll look at sample emails, texts, and deepfakes to see how AI contributes to the increased spread and complexity of scams. We’ll also provide helpful resources for staying informed about the latest scams. 

Senior U: The Marsalis Jazz Family

6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 27 and Wednesday, April 29
Zoom Meetings
Registration Deadline: April 23
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Billy Foster, jazz pianist and composer, for this two-part Zoom series about the story of the Marsalis family – one of the most remarkable in jazz. In these sessions, we will explore the careers and music of the father Ellis Marsalis (piano) and his sons Wynton (trumpet), Branford (saxophone), Delfeayo (trombone), and Jason (drums and vibraphone) from their beginnings up to today. It is unusual for one family of musicians to reach the top level of playing as these gentlemen have in the last forty years. We hope you will join us for these exciting sessions. 

Senior U: Laughter Yoga

10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, April 30
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: April 22
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Kathy O’Brien, Registered Nurse and Certified Laughter Leader, for an interactive wellness session that uses gentle stretching, yoga breathing, and laughter exercises. Laughter Yoga decreases stress, anger and anxiety, improves mood, and creates connections with others. It is fun and easily adaptable for all ages and abilities. 

Adult Education: Fundamental Courses

24/7 access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens

Online fundamental courses are informative, fun, and convenient. Fundamental courses include instructor-led courses and self-paced tutorials. Instructor-led courses run for six weeks with monthly start dates and feature an instructor-moderated discussion board allowing you to interact with your classmates. Self-paced tutorials are designed for completely independent learning, without instructor moderation, and can be started at any time. Complete any course entirely from home, at any time of the day or night. Popular courses include Speed Spanish, Accounting Fundamentals, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, and A to Z Grant Writing.

Enroll, learn more or view all Fundamental courses

Adult Education: Career Training Programs

24/7 access; Start at any time
Costs vary; Courses for adults

The online, open-enrollment Career Training Programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations. Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, encouraging, and motivating you to succeed.

Enroll, learn more or view all Career Training Programs

Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks

24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Costs vary; Courses for adults

These online Career Track programs offer students an opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of professions—from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in a self-paced format and offer opportunities for national certification, externship placement, and/or career support.

Enroll, learn more or view all Comprehensive Career Tracks

IU 2030: Service to our State and Beyond

IU Northwest will improve the lives of the people and economic vitality of Northwest Indiana and beyond by fostering and strengthening collaborative relationships that promote, build and sustain the well-being of the campus and our communities.

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