The Berkshire Edge: Flying Cloud at Hancock Shaker Village

Bottomless Bricks owner and Lego Master Erin Laundry with participant.

by Monica Bliss

Pittsfield— On Tuesday, October 22nd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the culmination of their 40th Anniversary events, Flying Cloud Institute (FCI) will lead a free, hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) community event for students in grades K-8 and their families at Hancock Shaker Village.

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 and Mt. Everett teachers will lead a Robotics challenge. BeatNest School will demonstrate electro music stations and Berkshire Design will host a design challenge. Participants will learn about the sonification of plants from professors at Berkshire Community College and 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.

The free event is on Tuesday, October 22nd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hancock Shaker Village at 1843 West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield. More information can be found online.