STEM-related learning is not just for kids! No matter your age and technical aptitude, it’s never too late (or too expensive) to get your STEM on.
Download Coursera. The website and app has free online courses from top universities and colleges, covering basic coding to advanced big data. It’s a great way to get a feel of a topic before committing.
Enroll at National University. Their cybersecurity program is recognized by the NSA and DHS as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance. But as a private university, it ain’t cheap.
Get a certificate at UCSD Extension. Programs cost around $5,000 and range in topics from data mining to life sciences and information technology, and many courses are offered online.
Take a class at a San Diego Community College District school. If you want to start at the beginning and work toward a degree, SDCCD is a good option. Units are just $46 for California residents, and courses range from an introduction to engineering through microcontroller programming.
Get your feet wet at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. For adults over 50, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to learn STEM. For $255 a year, students can take any of the classes OLLI offers at UCSD, or for $20 per semester plus individual class fees at SDSU.
Go to the library. For true beginners who want a basic understanding of some concepts, many libraries in San Diego offer computer courses. The La Jolla Riford Library has what may be the world’s first biology lab within a public library, with unique tools and programs.
