PITTSFIELD —
Flying Cloud Institute (FCI) will lead a free night of hands-on science and arts exploration for students in grades K-8 and their families at Berkshire Museum on Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. This is the fourth STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Challenge Night led by FCI, with support from the Berkshire STEM Pipeline and Berkshire Museum. The event coincides with Massachusetts’ 6th Annual STEM Week to boost students’ interest in STEM fields, as well as the Berkshires’ ArtWeek, an annual celebration of local creativity. Complimentary refreshments will be served and prizes raffled off to participating families.
“Flying Cloud Institute invites local families to attend an exciting evening of creativity and innovation. We have so much fun and the families really get into the hands-on activities, too!” says FCI Executive Director Maria Rundle. Families are encouraged to register online at flyingcloudinstitute.org but it is not required for this free event.
Students and their families will spend the evening problem-solving together in ways that involve exploring, tinkering, and creating. In addition to creative science and art projects with Flying Cloud educators, several local experts and organizations will participate. Staff members from Berkshire Museum will explore how a physics zipline works, while Mt. Everett will lead a Robotics challenge. Crane Currency employees will instruct us in the art of papermaking, and Berkshire Innovation Center representatives will explore 3-D scanning and printing with participants. Bard College at Simon's Rock will be hosting two engaging and dynamic STEM-focused activities. Bottomless Bricks will help students design and build derby cars using LEGO elements, while Ener-G-save and Cooler Communities members will present smart energy choices and climate friendly action activities. Local artist Gabrielle Senza’s character, Terra Luna, will make an appearance and host a fun climate awareness activity introducing actions families can do together. Additionally, families can join staff from Greenagers for an animal tracking game, while Flying Cloud Institute employees present an array of activities including robotics, a Laws of Motion Derby and circuitry artmaking workshop. Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing and General Dynamics will all be leading kid-centered challenge activities.
This event is made possible thanks to contributions by InterPrint, Onyx Specialty Papers, and the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board. If you are interested in being a community sponsor or donating items to the event, please contact Amy Truax, Development Manager, at (413) 645-3058 or visit flyingcloudinstitute.org for the sign-up form.
About Flying Cloud Institute: Its mission is to inspire young people and educators through dynamic experiences with science and art that ignite creativity. FCI offers an array of programs in the arts and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) that serve over 2,000 youth and local educators annually. More information can be found at www.flyingcloudinstitute.org.
