Great Science Stories (Lecture)




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Science is full of surprises. Dyes, accidentally discovered, launched the modern pharmaceutical industry. A failed experiment opened the door to new physics. A geologist studying Earth’s age ended up taking on the oil companies to ban leaded gasoline. These stories remind us that discoveries are never just dry facts. They are moments of creativity, struggle, and chance, with consequences that ripple far beyond the laboratory. In this course, we will explore the human side of science, situating breakthroughs in the context of their times and tracing how they reshaped both knowledge and society. Along the way, we will tour centuries of discovery across biology, chemistry, physics, and more, asking not just what was found, but how it was found, and why it still matters today.

Your instructor: Johnnie Hendrickson
Dr. Johnnie Hendrickson is a Teaching Professor in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University; he holds a PhD in chemistry, and is the author of the textbook “Chemistry in the World.” His academic work focuses on science communication, the reciprocal relationship between science and society.


Class Dates and Time: Thursdays, April 9 through May 14
12pm Pacific | 1pm Mountain | 2pm Central | 3pm Eastern
Each session is 90 minutes. 
 
 Class schedule: Live lecture will take place on Thursdays via ZOOM 
  • 4/9/2026
  • 4/16/2026
  • 4/23/2026
  • 4/30/2026
  • 5/7/2026
  • 5/14/2026

Class Details

6 Session(s)
Weekly - Thu

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online 

Tuition: 

$70.00

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Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
4/9/2026 - 5/14/2026 Weekly - Thu 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM N/A, Virtual - Any Location  Map Osher Online 

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