Pittsfield— In the culmination of their 40th Anniversary events, Flying Cloud Institute (FCI) will lead a free, hands-on science and art community event for students in grades K-8 and their families at Hancock Shaker Village on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. This is the fifth STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Challenge Night led by FCI, with support from the Berkshire STEM Pipeline and Hancock Shaker Village. The event coincides with Massachusetts’ 7th Annual STEM Week to boost students’ interest in STEM fields. Complimentary refreshments will be served and prizes raffled off to participating families.
“Flying Cloud Institute invites local families to celebrate creativity and innovation with us as we mark 40 years of science and art programs. It will be so much fun and family members can 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 teachers lead a Robotics challenge. BeatNest School will demonstrate electro music stations and Berkshire Design will present a design challenge. Participants will learn about the sonification of plants from professors at Berkshire Community College, while they explore 3-D scanning and printing with Berkshire Innovation Center representatives. Bottomless Bricks will help students design and build derby cars using LEGO elements, and Mass Audubon will lead a printing activity. Staff from Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing, Greenagers, and Hancock Shaker Village will also be leading kid-centered challenge activities.
This event is made possible thanks to contributions by Blue Q, Elyse Harney Real Estate, Onyx Specialty Paper, Warrior Trading, Webster Landscaping, Price Chopper/ Market 32, the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, and sponsors of our 40th Anniversary events. If you want to be a community sponsor or donate 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 flyingcloudinstitute.org.
