Human beings store away huge quantities of information in memory. We remember countless facts about the world (e.g., birds have wings, 2+2=4, there are 26 letters in the alphabet) as well as specific information about our own lives (e.g., what we had for lunch, where we went for our last vacation, our first kiss). We remember how to tie our shoes, how to ride a bike, and how to write our signature. Most of the time we retrieve information from this enormous database of memory so efficiently and effectively that we don’t even give it a second thought. But how does that work? How do we store information away into memory and then retrieve exactly the information we need minutes, days, or even years later? Conversely, why do we so often forget someone’s name or where we put our keys? And perhaps most importantly, is there anything we can do to improve our memory and keep it sharp? This course will address all those questions and many more. We’ll dive into the psychological and neural mechanisms that underlie our amazing ability to remember. We’ll discover that we’re actually equipped with multiple different memory systems that are specialized for remembering different types of information. We’ll learn about factors that can have a dramatic impact on memory, such as motivation, emotion, and aging. After taking this course, you’ll have a new appreciation for the extremely powerful memory mechanisms in your own brain and a better understanding of how to use them most effectively. Provided by Curiosity U. Provided by the CAST Senior Center, our Documentary Programs provide an endless variety of interesting subjects in a prerecorded, professional film format. They take us across the country and around the world, experiencing and learning about places and people which we wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Our documentaries are entertaining, informative, and inspiring. They offer a unique and powerful form of storytelling that captures your attention and provoke thought and discussion. Scheduled every Tuesday afternoon, unless noted, at 1pm at the CAST Senior Center, our Documentary Programs are free and open to the public. There are no membership dues and everyone is welcome to attend. Programming is provided by Curiosity U and other online providers. Check out our documentary program schedule every month and join us. We look forward to seeing you!