Learn things. Have fun. Make friends.
Small in-person classes around Somerville and Cambridge, taught by people who love their subject. Anyone can join, and most classes cost less than a dinner out.
Classes run in semesters, and the next one is taking shape. Leave your email and we'll tell you when the catalog goes live.
From the FractalU catalog
Intro to Somerville City Government
Come learn how Somerville city government works: who has which powers, which departments do what, and how residents can actually influence decisions. This is for you, whether you want to advocate for change, volunteer on a campaign, run for office, or just understand your city!
Friday, October 30, 2026 · Free
How to Operate a Telescope
Learn the basics of stargazing and how to operate a telescope.
Friday, October 23, 2026 · Free
Intro to Fractal Boston
New to Fractal Boston, or curious about learning more? During this "Intro to Fractal Boston" event, we'll start with some background on how Fractal Boston began and offer an introduction to the events and activities that happen in the community so you can get involved.
Monday, October 12, 2026 · Free
Personal Style Lab
A playful exploration of personal style - figuring out what we like, experimenting outside our usual comfort zones, and getting fresh ideas from other people. Bring your clothes, your curiosity, and an openness to trying something a little different.
Sunday, October 4, 2026 · Free
Community Involvement: Finding the Right Path for You
Do you want to engage more in the community around you, but aren't sure where to start? We'll dive deep into opportunities for involvement here in Somerville, and explore how to find ones that are right for you!
Friday, October 2, 2026 · Free
How to Dance Ecstatically
Learn how to feel good on the dance floor. No experience required.
Thursday, October 1, 2026 · Free
Death, and
A casual, recurring space to practice talking about death and other hard stuff — no syllabus, no experience required 😉, just getting better at the conversation.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · $25.00
Investing in AI Infrastructure Leveraging AI
AI is changing investing in two major ways: driving the largest infrastructure buildout ever, while giving individual investors powerful new tools for research and analysis. This course will map the AI landscape, introduce investing fundamentals, and demo tools and processes.
Monday, September 28, 2026 · $15 – $90 sliding
Story Class
Series of workshops in storytelling
Monday, September 21, 2026 · $15 – $30 sliding
112 Ways to Learn the True Nature of Reality
Vijnana-Bhairava Tantra meditation technique sampler
Saturday, September 19, 2026 · Free
Community Made: Success and the Relationships That Create It
Over three sessions, we'll read and discuss Jayson Gaignard's new book, Community Made: The Truth About Success and the Relationships That Create It. Tuition for this class includes a hardcover copy of the book.
Monday, September 14, 2026 · $0 – $30 sliding
An Interactive Introduction to GPS Signal Processing
A team-based hackathon exploring GPS signal processing, from designing a global positioning system from first principles to processing real GPS signals and producing a position solution.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 · $80.00
Textile Archaeology
A history of human anthropology as depicted by the scraps of fabric we developed, documented, left behind, and still wear today - including a taste of forensic palynology! What CAN'T fashion tell us about ourselves?
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 · $100.00
Read the Room: DJing, Mixing & Moving a Dancefloor
Learn how to DJ from the ground up: choosing tracks, reading a room, mixing smoothly, and building the energy of a set. No experience required—we’ll go from “what do all these knobs do?” to playing a short live set.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 · Free
Chinese Political Philosophy Reading Group
The fierce competition of the Warring States period gave rise to The Hundred Schools of Thought, a golden age of philosophy laser-focused on one question: how do we organize society, and specifically, how do we organize our state so that it isn't eaten by one of the other states?
Sunday, September 6, 2026 · $40.00
Intro to Salsa Dance
Learn the basics of salsa dancing through four sessions
Thursday, September 3, 2026 · $12.00
Build Your Own Sovereign AI Assistant
Everyone has an AI chatbot. Almost nobody has an AI that knows their schedule, notes, projects, and how they actually work. We'll each build a personal AI assistant on top of tools you already own: email, calendar, files and you'll leave with an AI assistant that knows you.
Thursday, September 3, 2026 · $300.00
DJing with Vinyl 101
Learn how to DJ the old fashioned way: all analog. just two turntables + a mixer + your brain!
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 · $25.00
Intro to Negotiation
While there's no strategy that works across all situations, there is tremendous value in thinking through the elements that generally lead to a successful negotiation. Along with readings, and discussion, students will engage in a number of negotiation exercises.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 · $200 – $300 sliding
Tai Chi
Starting with a main course of tai chi movement, we'll explore the theory and practice of qigong with topics like standing meditation, breathing, Chinese alchemical theory, and diet.
Monday, August 31, 2026 · $30.00
Intro to Somerville City Government
Come learn how Somerville city government works: who has which powers, which departments do what, and how residents can actually influence decisions. This is for you, whether you want to advocate for change, volunteer on a campaign, run for office, or just understand your city!
Friday, October 30, 2026 · Free
How to Operate a Telescope
Learn the basics of stargazing and how to operate a telescope.
Friday, October 23, 2026 · Free
Intro to Fractal Boston
New to Fractal Boston, or curious about learning more? During this "Intro to Fractal Boston" event, we'll start with some background on how Fractal Boston began and offer an introduction to the events and activities that happen in the community so you can get involved.
Monday, October 12, 2026 · Free
Personal Style Lab
A playful exploration of personal style - figuring out what we like, experimenting outside our usual comfort zones, and getting fresh ideas from other people. Bring your clothes, your curiosity, and an openness to trying something a little different.
Sunday, October 4, 2026 · Free
Community Involvement: Finding the Right Path for You
Do you want to engage more in the community around you, but aren't sure where to start? We'll dive deep into opportunities for involvement here in Somerville, and explore how to find ones that are right for you!
Friday, October 2, 2026 · Free
How to Dance Ecstatically
Learn how to feel good on the dance floor. No experience required.
Thursday, October 1, 2026 · Free
Death, and
A casual, recurring space to practice talking about death and other hard stuff — no syllabus, no experience required 😉, just getting better at the conversation.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · $25.00
Investing in AI Infrastructure Leveraging AI
AI is changing investing in two major ways: driving the largest infrastructure buildout ever, while giving individual investors powerful new tools for research and analysis. This course will map the AI landscape, introduce investing fundamentals, and demo tools and processes.
Monday, September 28, 2026 · $15 – $90 sliding
Story Class
Series of workshops in storytelling
Monday, September 21, 2026 · $15 – $30 sliding
112 Ways to Learn the True Nature of Reality
Vijnana-Bhairava Tantra meditation technique sampler
Saturday, September 19, 2026 · Free
Community Made: Success and the Relationships That Create It
Over three sessions, we'll read and discuss Jayson Gaignard's new book, Community Made: The Truth About Success and the Relationships That Create It. Tuition for this class includes a hardcover copy of the book.
Monday, September 14, 2026 · $0 – $30 sliding
An Interactive Introduction to GPS Signal Processing
A team-based hackathon exploring GPS signal processing, from designing a global positioning system from first principles to processing real GPS signals and producing a position solution.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 · $80.00
Textile Archaeology
A history of human anthropology as depicted by the scraps of fabric we developed, documented, left behind, and still wear today - including a taste of forensic palynology! What CAN'T fashion tell us about ourselves?
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 · $100.00
Read the Room: DJing, Mixing & Moving a Dancefloor
Learn how to DJ from the ground up: choosing tracks, reading a room, mixing smoothly, and building the energy of a set. No experience required—we’ll go from “what do all these knobs do?” to playing a short live set.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 · Free
Chinese Political Philosophy Reading Group
The fierce competition of the Warring States period gave rise to The Hundred Schools of Thought, a golden age of philosophy laser-focused on one question: how do we organize society, and specifically, how do we organize our state so that it isn't eaten by one of the other states?
Sunday, September 6, 2026 · $40.00
Intro to Salsa Dance
Learn the basics of salsa dancing through four sessions
Thursday, September 3, 2026 · $12.00
Build Your Own Sovereign AI Assistant
Everyone has an AI chatbot. Almost nobody has an AI that knows their schedule, notes, projects, and how they actually work. We'll each build a personal AI assistant on top of tools you already own: email, calendar, files and you'll leave with an AI assistant that knows you.
Thursday, September 3, 2026 · $300.00
DJing with Vinyl 101
Learn how to DJ the old fashioned way: all analog. just two turntables + a mixer + your brain!
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 · $25.00
Intro to Negotiation
While there's no strategy that works across all situations, there is tremendous value in thinking through the elements that generally lead to a successful negotiation. Along with readings, and discussion, students will engage in a number of negotiation exercises.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 · $200 – $300 sliding
Tai Chi
Starting with a main course of tai chi movement, we'll explore the theory and practice of qigong with topics like standing meditation, breathing, Chinese alchemical theory, and diet.
Monday, August 31, 2026 · $30.00
How it works
Pick a class
Browse the catalog and find the one that pulls at you. New semesters start a few times a year.
Apply in five minutes
Classes stay small, so instructors read a few quick answers to make sure the room works for everyone. Almost everyone gets in.
Show up
That's the whole trick. Come once a week, meet some people, learn the thing.
What it's actually like
Classes stay small, usually a dozen people or fewer. You can ask the obvious question.
One evening, or a few weeks of evenings. The catalog says exactly what you're signing up for.
Cafes, community spaces, sometimes a living room. Exact addresses are shared once you're confirmed.
From people who took one
“The exercises were fun, and really tested my creativity and ability to think on my feet.”
“Accessible, well paced, concrete results, interesting ideas, well prepared.”
FractalU Boston is part of Fractal Boston, a community in Somerville that runs events, dinners, and this school.
Your questions, answered
Do I need experience?
No. Classes assume you're starting from zero unless the description says otherwise, and the description will say so plainly.
I won't know anyone.
Most people arrive alone. That usually lasts about ten minutes; a class of ten has a way of turning into a group chat.
What does it cost?
Instructors set their own prices and keep them low on purpose. Plenty of classes are free; paid ones go straight to the person teaching.
Who teaches these?
Your neighbors. Anyone can propose a class, and our team reviews every proposal before it goes in the catalog.
What if I have to miss a week?
Life happens; instructors know that. The application asks what you can attend so nobody has to pretend.
Catch the next semester
Leave your email and we'll write when the next catalog goes live. No newsletter, just the one note.