If you’re looking for the perfect gift this season, consider the gift of education with Lone Star College-Montgomery’s vast line-up of fun, interesting, and affordable continuing education courses.
 
The continuing education courses, which run anywhere from four to 16 weeks depending on the course, cater to a wide variety of hobbies and interests and can seamlessly fit into a busy schedule.  
 
For instance, if your youngster enjoys hi-tech games and videos, consider enrolling them in a Robotics course, offered this spring on Saturdays during a special four-week Youth Camp session. They’ll work in teams to build robots and solve challenges using LEGO Mindstorms NXT Robotics System and NXT-G software. Geared for ages 9-14, the Robotics I course, which begins in February, requires no previous programming and is just $89. Robotics II is also available and begins in April.
 
For those interested in learning a new hobby, consider gifting the beginning ceramics course, which sends students on a journey into the primary techniques of hand building construction and basic use of the potter’s wheel. The 11-week beginner’s and advanced ceramics courses meet at the same time and cost $182.
 
If you’re giving a camera as a gift this season (or maybe even received one yourself recently), consider Digital Photography, a hands-on class with tips and tricks to take better snapshots. For just under $90, students will learn all about point-and-shoot camera functions and techniques. Plus, DSLR camera classes are available, too.
 
For the music lover, consider piano lessons, offered by LSC-Montgomery’s award-winning music department for just $90 a semester. The piano class meets for about one hour, two or three times a week, and includes electronic piano keyboard instruction for beginning to advanced students.
 
Then, if you’re traveling in the near future or just want to learn a new language, LSC-Montgomery offers continuing education courses in French, Italian and Spanish. The Instant Spanish course, which meets twice a week for 10 weeks, builds confidence in correct communication without homework or complicated grammar exercises. Classes start in January and at various times throughout the spring, and prices vary depending on the length of class, but average about $210.
 
And finally, if you have some someone on your list over the age of 50, treat them to the gift of lifelong learning at LSC-Montgomery’s Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALL).  In the ALL program, members will have access to interesting lectures, workshops, seminars, and tours in a variety of topics including computers, history, finance, philosophy and science. Additionally, the program offers off-site lectures and tours at Jones Forest, Mercer Arboretum, or the popular “Doc Talk” series at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital. ALL membership is $35, and 70 percent of the lectures are free.  Additionally, some continuing education classes offer a senior discount for individuals over the age of 60.
 
For more information about the continuing educations courses at LSC-Montgomery or the Academy for Lifelong Learning, visit www.LoneStar.edu/continuing-ed, or call the continuing education office at 936.273.7446.
 
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
 
With more than 75,000 students in credit classes for fall 2011, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.