Eastern Illinois University School of Continuing Education has listed its upcoming events and Lifetime Learning opportunities for January, February and March.

n Future Cohort Opportunity — Master of Science in Technology Cohort at Triton College.

EIU’s School of Technology hopes to offer a cohort leading to a master’s degree in technology. Classes would meet at Triton College in River Grove.

For more information, contact David Melton, 217-581-5762; or dwmelton@eiu.edu.

n Informational session: Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, 3-4 p.m., Feb 8, Truman College, Larry McKeon Student Services Building, Room 118, Chicago.

The School of Continuing Education will host an informational session at Truman College in Chicago to introduce the bachelor of arts in general studies in the Chicagoland area.

Classes will meet evenings, weekends or online, and will be offered at locations across Chicago, including Triton College and American Indian Association of Illinois campuses.

The BGS Degree Program is for adult learners who want to complete a bachelor’s degree but have limited time and family responsibilities that interfere with achieving that goal.

Pending enrollments, the BGS program will be offered on the University Center of Lake County campus with classes offered in the evenings, weekends and online.

The BGS program is adult friendly, transfer friendly and offers affordable tuition.

For more information about the BGS Degree program, please call 217-549-3347 or email bgsba@eiu.edu. Those planning to attend should RSVP to 217-549-3347; or 800-446-8918.

The Academy of Lifetime Learning Spring/Summer 2013 program guides are now available, and have been distributed to academy members and to several businesses and supporting locations around the area.

Contact Eastern Illinois University School of Continuing Education at 217-581-5114 to receive a copy or send an email to academy@eiu.edu.

A copy of the program guide is available for online viewing at www.eiu.edu/adulted/all.php.

The Academy of Lifetime Learning is sponsored by Eastern Illinois University School of Continuing Education and is a learning community open to anyone who is age 50 or older who has a curiosity and a desire to learn.

The following workshops and courses will be offered in February:

n Kaleidoscopes: Those Magical Tubes of Color, 4-5:30 p.m., Feb. 19, EIU Blair Hall, Room 2116.

The presenter will be Brett Bensley. The cost is $45 for Academy members and $90 for non-members. Register by Feb. 12.

Learn how to make kaleidoscopes and learn about the history of kaleidoscope making from a world famous Kaleidoscope artist. Learn the basic techniques while making a working kaleidoscope. Learn about advanced skills and features to make artistic kaleidoscopes. Share this skill with friends, family, students, or anyone wishing to learn the secrets of how that ‘magical’ tube of colors works.

All materials needed for this class are included. The class is limited to 15 participants.

n Tour European WWII Sites, 10-11:30 a.m., Feb. 26, EIU Blair Hall, Room 3180.

The presenter will be Dan Crews. The cost is $20 for Academy members and $40 for non-members. Register by Feb. 19.

Get information about touring sites in France and Belgium that are directly related to events from the Second World War. The program is not a general, big-picture overview of the D-Day and Battle of the Bulge campaigns, but rather an up-close, personal approach to experiencing history.

The workshop is limited to 20 participants.

n Embroidery Basics, 5:30-7 p.m., Feb. 27, EIU Blair Hall, Room 2116.

The presenter is Allison Cicero. The cost is $20 for Academy members and $40 for non-members. Register by Feb. 20.

Learn basic embroidery stitches and gain a new appreciation for the ancient craft. Participants will create a sampler of assorted stitches in class for to take home.

The instructor will lead hands-on demonstrations give one-on-one assistance, and will discuss resources for further learning and pattern access.

Material cost will be approximately $15 in addition to registration fee. A material list will be emailed so registered participants can obtain their supplies.

The workshop is appropriate for children ages 12 and older, and is limited to 15 participants.

n Woodstove and Fireplace Hearth Cooking at the Five Mile House, 1-5 p.m., Feb. 28, held at the Five Mile House, Illinois Highway 130 and Hutton Road, southeast of Charleston.

The presenters are Kathy Hummel and Gail Casey. The cost is $25 for Academy members and $50 for non-members. Register by Feb. 21.

Learn and practice the basics of cooking on the fireplace hearth and woodstove in Coles County’s oldest dwelling, the Five Mile House. Make a savory stew, johnnycake, mulled cider, and apple crisp — and eat it.

While the food is bubbling away, participants will hand-sew a ‘housewife,’ a pioneer sewing kit, and sing pioneer songs.

Participants may invite one guest to join them at a candlelight meal. The workshop is limited to eight participants.

n The Life of the Civil War Soldier, 10-11:30 a.m., March 5, EIU Blair Hall, Room 2116.

The presenter is Robert Sterling. The cost is $20 for Academy members and $40 for non-members. Register by Feb. 26.

The life of a soldier in the 1860s was difficult, and an unforgettable experience for the thousands of young Americans who left home to fight for their cause. Military service meant many months away from home and loved ones, long hours of drill, often inadequate food or shelter, disease, and many days spent marching on hot, dusty roads or in a driving rainstorm.

Long stretches of boredom in camp were broken by moments of sheer terror experienced on the battlefield. For these civilians-turned-soldiers, the rigors and demands of army life were a very difficult adjustment.

The workshop is limited to 15 participants.

n Calligraphy: Learning the Rhythmic Flourishes and Old-World Elegance of Writing, 4-5:30 p.m., March 5, 12, 19 and 26, EIU Blair Hall, Room 2116.

The presenter is Brett Bensley. The cost is $50 for Academy members and $100 for non-members. Register by Feb. 26.

Learn the skills to make creative lettering for scrapbooking, letters, certificates, and a variety of occasions or everyday use. This skill can be used for making posters and signs.

All materials are included in the price of the class. The course is limited to 15 participants.

n Cast Pewter Jewelry, 5:30-7 p.m., March 6, EIU Doudna Fine Arts Center, Room 1920.

The presenter is Allison Cicero. The cost is $65 for Academy members and $130 for non-members. Register by Feb. 6.

Participants will make their own jewelry from cast pewter. Pewter, largely comprised of tin, melts at about 450 degrees fahrenheit (depending on the exact alloy), allowing it to be cast in aluminum foil molds.

Historical metals casting processes will be discussed, and participants will make their own molds, and very carefully pour molten pewter into the molds to cast pewter objects for them to take home.

Material costs are included in the price of this course. The workshop is limited to 15 participants.

Upcoming Academy public events include:

Spring/Summer 2013 Program Showcase Open House, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Jan. 23, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Lumpkin Family Center for Education, Lincoln Room.

The event is presented by the Academy of Lifetime Learning, and the cost is free.

Join the Academy for a preview of the Spring/Summer 2013 Academy of Lifetime Learning Programs and activities.

Instructors will be on hand in a relaxed, vendor-fair setting to answer questions and provide information on the programs they offer, giving you a great opportunity to preview classes before you commit financially.

Refreshments will be provided by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Services. Raffles and giveaways will be held.

Doors open at 2 p.m. No registration is necessary.