Lifelong learning has been shown by many research studies to fight cognitive decline in our senior citizens across all socio-economic strata. 

Coastal Senior College (CSC) has served elder education in Lincoln and Knox counties for nearly a quarter of a century. Once again, the College launches its broad roster of courses for the fall 2025 semester — some live, some on Zoom —during the week of Sept. 16–19.

Current and new members of the College are offered 10 in-person courses in locations throughout both counties. An additional six courses are offered on Zoom, available to members of the 17-location Maine Senior College Network statewide.

Seasoned instructors Bill Portela and Joel Shapiro offer a duo of courses this fall, the first focusing on mankind’s beginnings, and the second on life’s final chapters. 

“The Origins of Human Evolution” is offered by Portela in a classroom setting at the First Universalist Church in Rockland every Tuesday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 Sept. 16 to Oct. 21. 

As Portela states: “This course beckons readers to discover who they are and where they came from. The Origins of Human Evolution is a narrative, interactive experience that uses dynamic, informative biological stories woven into a chronological journal of life on Earth.”  

 “The Psychology of Aging: What It Is and How To Do It” is offered by Shapiro on Zoom every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11 Sept. 16 through Oct. 28. 

“This course examines how many Americans experience aging as we interact with our physical, social, and cultural environments. Predictable changes in social and vocational adjustment, physical ability, mental health, spirituality, relationship, and approaching infirmity and end of life will be considered,” says Shapiro. 

Information about CSC and registration for the Fall courses may be found at coastalseniorcollege.org.