Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Driving Economic Transformation
Learn the secrets to perfect smoked brisket, pork butt, ribs, and BBQ chicken in this flavor-packed class. We’ll also whip up German and country potato salads, homemade baked beans, and explore regional BBQ sauces like Kansas City and Carolina styles. Great for BBQ lovers ready to level up their cookout game!
The cost for dinner is $35 and you must have an active Wonder membership.
Registration and payment deadlines are due June 6th.
Limited to 16 members.
Presented by Chef John Clark.
The May 2025 edition of IALR at a Glance is packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
Deep Listening and Radical Vulnerability, Laugh and Play
The connection between listening and mental wellbeing is profound. New York psychiatrist and co-founder of Narativ, Dr Paul Browde, stresses that the act of deep listening counters the isolation many of us experience. “In a world filled with noise – both literal and metaphorical – many people are starved for the experience of being truly listened to,” he says. This lack of deep listening often leads to loneliness, depression and alienation.
Listening requires vulnerability – not just from the speaker but also from the listener. Brené Brown, social researcher, author and expert on vulnerability, argues that empathy is impossible without deep listening. Empathy, she explains, involves “feeling with people,” which requires setting aside our own thoughts to understand someone else’s emotions.
Brown emphasizes that empathy is not about offering advice or fixing problems but rather about acknowledging another person’s feelings. In her TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, she says, “Rarely can a response make something better. What makes something better is connection.” This connection is nurtured through listening with empathy, allowing both the speaker and listener to feel more connected and understood.
Presented by Chad Martin
Registration deadline: 5/22/2025.
A minimum number of 12 participants is required, and a maximum number of participants is 30.
Dining Etiquette- learning the essentials of table manners and proper utensil usage.
Presented by Yvette Bethel, Owner of All Forks Etiquette Consulting.
Yvette’s Why!
As a foster parent, I’ve had the privilege of caring for children from diverse backgrounds. I noticed a significant gap in their etiquette skills. Many of them had not been exposed to the social norms and manners that are essential to succeed in school settings and social gatherings. I also witnessed adults lacking some of the same skills during this realization. This sparked my passion to become an etiquette consultant. I aim to equip children and adults with the tools they need to build confidence and establish and improve positive relationships. I recognize that the benefits of etiquette extend far beyond childhood. Therefore, through my work as an etiquette consultant, I strive to create inclusive programs that address the needs of both children and adults. The emphasis is on communication, respect, honesty, and cultural awareness. Possession of these skills will create a more courteous and empathetic society, one interaction at a time.
Registration deadline: 4/16/2025.
A minimum number of four participants is required, and a maximum number of participants is 12.
Join the Wonder Community and Megabytes at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) for an immersive culinary experience with Chef John Clark, where you’ll learn to craft the five fundamental mother sauces (Béchamel, Velouté, Espagnole, Tomato, and Hollandaise) and perfect the essential knife cuts. Bring your knives to practice precision cutting techniques and discover how to sharpen and maintain your blades for professional-level results properly. Elevate your kitchen skills with hands-on guidance from our expert chef!
The cost for dinner is $30.
Registration and payment for dinner is due by 3.4.25
Limited to 16 members.
Presented by Chef John Clark
Discover the art of glass etching with Wonder Community’s Brian Stanley! Bring a glass item (like a mug or cup), but make sure it’s not Pyrex, acrylic, or plastic!
Partnership with New College Insitute’s Learning is ForEver (LIFE) Program.
Members should use the NCI registration link here to register.
Registration deadline: 3/18/2025.
Join Brian at the Ruby B. Archie Public Library as he explains and demonstrates the popular at-home die-cutting crafting machine.
Members will need to register using the Ruby B. Archie Public Library link.
Limited to 14 spots.
*If you are not a member of the Wonder Community yet, please complete the New Member Registration Form.
Join us for an engaging 90-minute workshop filled with practical tips, lively discussions, and a fun physical activity session to wrap things up!
Presented by REACH AmeriCorps
Registration closes on January 16th at 11 PM.
Limited to 20 spots.
The December 2024 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
In part two of the 3D printing class, members will receive their 3D -printed Christmas ornaments and see their Tinkercad designs brought to life. We will watch the 3D printers in action as they print miniature benches, gaining hands-on insights into the printer process and troubleshooting tips.
Hosted by Tim Holland, ATDM Precision Manufacturing Lab Technician; Jacob Taylor, GO TEC Technical & Training Manager and Chris Griffith, GOTEC Training Coordinator (Region 3).
Limited to 16
In this two-part 3D printing class, members will learn the basics of 3D design using Tinkercad, an intuitive tool for creating digital models. Part one introduces members to the essentials of 3D printing technology, exploring how it works and its various applications while guiding them through their first Tinkercad projects to create Christmas ornaments.
Hosted by Tim Holland, ATDM Precision Manufacturing Lab Technician; Jacob Taylor, GO TEC Technical & Training Manager and Chris Griffith, GOTEC Training Coordinator (Region 3).
Limited to 16
The November 2024 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
Create a step-by-step painting of a winter-themed painting.
Presented by Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator.
Registration closes on January 21st at 11 PM.
Limited to 15 spots.
Members will be able to use the sublimation printer for an Open Lab workshop.
Members will be responsible for bringing their own blanks (i.e., cups, glasses and shirts). Heat presses for mugs and shirts will be available. If you need assistance in looking for acceptable, blanks please contact us for more information.
Presented by Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator II.
Limited to 12.
Join the Wonder Community and Megabytes at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) as Chef John Clark teaches us how to make turkey, brussels sprouts with homemade bacon jam, stuffing, and cream cheese pumpkin bars.
Cost for dinner is $20.
Registration and payment for dinner is due by 11.13.24
Limited to 18 Spots.
The October 2024 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
Join us for an exciting Intro to Sublimation workshop, where you’ll learn the basics of transferring vibrant designs onto various surfaces using heat and sublimation ink. This hands-on session will cover essential techniques, materials, and equipment to help you create custom apparel, mugs, and more!
Presented by Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator II.
Limited to 12.
Join us for an exciting Intro to Sublimation workshop, where you’ll learn the basics of transferring vibrant designs onto various surfaces using heat and sublimation ink. This hands-on session will cover essential techniques, materials, and equipment to help you create custom apparel, mugs, and more!
Presented by Brian Stanley, Program Coordinator II.
Limited to 12.
The September 2024 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
Join the Wonder Community and Megabytes at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) as Chef John Clark teaches us how to make linguine with meat sauce, roasted zucchini, garlic knots, and classic cannoli.
Cost for dinner is $20.
Registration and payment for dinner is due by 9.11.24
Limited to 18 Spots.
The August 2024 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
From mastering the art of sign language in a virtual classroom one month to casting a line as part of a multi-part fishing expedition the next, the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning is a dynamic hub where curiosity knows no age. Whether people are eager to craft intricate designs with a Cricut, whip up culinary delights in the kitchen or delve into the world of coding while building a musical instrument, there is something for everyone.
This community is about learning new skills and encouraging a lifelong love of discovery and growth.
The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning is a group that fosters community, knowledge sharing and personal growth through various initiatives and workshops. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) supports this community-based education platform.
“Lifelong learning isn’t just a hobby; it is a continuous journey of growth and fulfillment.” – Brian Stanley, IALR Program Coordinator II
The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning is a lifelong learning program where members meet curious people, share their passions and talents, and learn new things. Several monthly workshops allow members to discover new skills explore new places.
The Wonder Community crosses multiple generations and unites people with varied interests and talents. By welcoming individuals of all backgrounds, ages and experiences, the community strives to create an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute and benefit from shared knowledge.
Since Wonder began in 2022, more than 50 workshops have been hosted. These workshops cover six “themes” related to community support and growth. Themes include passion projects, green futures, shifting perspectives, teacher topics, healthy us and lunch and learns.
Below are some recent workshops that members have enjoyed:
The Wonder Community thrives on collaboration. The initiative taps into a rich reservoir of knowledge, expertise and resources through partnerships with local institutions. Some recent collaborations have included a tour of Imagination Lavender Farm with New College Institute, cooking classes with Megabytes Café and a grant writing workshop with the Danville Regional Foundation. These connections amplify the community’s impact, ensuring that programming is relevant, accessible and responsive to community needs.
During a joint event with Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning and the New College Institute. participants explored the Imagination Lavender Farm.
Through such collaborations, the Wonder Community positions individuals and organizations to shape the region’s intellectual and cultural landscape.
“Collaborating with regional partners is vital to fostering lifelong learning, as it brings together diverse perspectives, resources and expertise, creating a more prosperous and inclusive educational experience for all.” – Brian Stanley, Advanced Learning Program Coordinator II
As part of the Advanced Learning division at IALR, the Wonder Community demonstrates IALR’s commitment to promoting lifelong and service learning and connecting people with resources.
Rebecca Wright has been a member of the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning since she attended a painting workshop in June 2023.
“I showed up not knowing HOW much I was getting involved with,” Wright admitted.
What initially seemed like a simple $10 paint class unfolded into a year-long immersion in Wonder’s diverse programming. (The lowest membership tier costs just $10 for unlimited workshops for a year.)
Rebecca Wright, pictured here during a recent Cricut workshop, is one of the most consistent members of the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning.
“I had no idea that I would have access to a year of programming based on signing up for that one event,” she reflected, highlighting the unexpected value of her initial investment.
With its diverse and affordable workshops, the Wonder Community quickly became a cornerstone in Wright’s life. Her favorite experiences have been the Cricut workshops and crafting her own musical instrument using an Arduino kit and Pure Data.
“It’s more than just a community; it’s a place where you can truly explore, learn and thrive.” – Rebecca Wright, Wonder Member
For Wright, joining Wonder Community was more than just attending workshops; it was an opportunity to reenter day-to-day life during a challenging period of health issues and prolonged home confinement.
“I found the group at a time when I was coming out of many health issues and being stuck at home,” she shared candidly. “I look forward to getting out of the house and meeting new people who are also curious to keep learning.”
Whether it’s painting, cooking or learning sign language, Wright finds that Wonder fosters a sense of accomplishment and community spirit.
“In our supportive, judgment-free environment, you can try new things without fear. We laugh together, learn together and support each other in figuring out how to improve for the next time.” – Rebecca Wright, Wonder Community Member
She believes that this collaborative spirit makes Wonder Community such a fulfilling way to grow and learn.
The Wonder Community offers a unique membership process for becoming a supporter. There are two main options: pay a fee or present a workshop.
The Wonder Community hosts an annual three-part fishing series, providing members an opportunity to learn about fishing processes, catch some fish in the river, and participate in a fish fry.
“One of my favorite skills I’ve learned is how to clean a fish. I never thought I would have the stomach to do that. I’ve learned heat-pressing, painting and how to use a cricket. The cooking classes helped me expand my ideas in the kitchen.” – Jessica Hardy, Wonder Community member
The lowest tier costs just $10 (or one workshop presentation) and includes access to all workshops.
Five membership tiers are offered, each corresponding to a monetary value or the option to lead workshops.
In the spirit of “paying it forward,” 60% of each supporter’s payment will be invested directly into the community. Supporters can choose to dedicate this donation to a nonprofit organization of their choice, or to support another individual’s basic Eureka membership.
“If you’re looking for a network of like-minded, curious individuals who are all trying to gain new skills with zero judgment and supporting each other, our members uplift to better one another and better the region as well.” –Brian Stanley, Wonder Community Program Coordinator II
Join us for this workshop to learn how to create these Print and Cut stickers designed by artist Lenora Lea! All materials are provided, and you’re welcome to bring your own Cricut machine and laptop/tablet to follow along, or there will be a machine and heat press available to use!
To register, you can use the link below and scroll down to the LIFE Cricut Creations: Printable Stickers event and complete the NCI form.
Registration Deadline: August 15th, 2024.
Partnership with NCI Learning is ForEver (L.I.F.E).
Dive into the world of crochet with our beginner’s class! From basic stitches to beautiful creations, unlock your creativity one loop at a time. Join the Wonder Community for a fun-filled session where yarn meets artistry, and you leave with newfound skills and handmade treasures!
Registration Deadline: July 25th, 2024
