Flying Cloud Institute

Last Friday, Clarksburg students made models of their Town Field to test engineering and design interventions to prevent flooding. Flying Cloud educator Christian Drake brought the topography of Clarksburg to life, orienting students and their engineering work within the beauty of the Berkshire hills. One group of students tested how implementing more green spaces and rain gardens will protect the Town Field from extreme weather events. Youth used clay, sand, gravel, and soil to recreate the stratigraphy of the Clarksburg fields to create their models.

Still thinking about our inspiring collaboration with Latinas413 for the Latinas in STEAM program over April Break... Check out this slideshow of memories:

Latinas413 & Flying Cloud 2026 STEAM Certificate Program Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

April Break was amazing! 🌟 The sun was out and participants really shined: Youth created botanical presses and Field Guide illustrations, coded with Micro:bits, played fun outdoor games, explored the natural world and made a movie about their findings!

¡la semana pasada lanzamos el STEAM Certificate ! - Un programa bilingüe diseñado para inspirar, conectar y abrir oportunidades en ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería, arte y matemáticas, con un enfoque especial en niñas y mujeres Latinas.
En una poderosa colaboración entre Latinas413 y , diez estudiantes participaron en una semana transformadora en el CreaHub Makerspace. A través de talleres de impresión 3D, diseño, robótica, polímeros, coding y la creación de circuitos eléctricos soldados sobre canvas.
El Programa STEAM Certificate es un espacio donde las niñas y mujeres latinas se vean reflejadas, valoradas y capaces de desarrollarse en los campos STEAM. Gracias a las profesionales en STEAM que compartieron sus historias, trayectorias y experiencias, inspirando a la próxima generación de líderes y creadoras.
Agradecimiento especial a María Rundle por su activo liderazgo que hizo posible esta experiencia.


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We launched our STEAM Certificate last week! A bilingual program designed to inspire, connect, and open opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, with a special focus on Latina girls and women.
Through a powerful collaboration between Latinas413 and Flying Cloud Institute, ten students participated in a transformative week at the CreaHub Makerspace. Through hands-on workshops in 3D printing, design, robotics, polymers, coding, and even soldering electrical circuits onto canvas.
The STEAM Certificate Program is a space where Latina girls and women feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow in STEAM fields. Thank you to the STEAM professionals who shared their stories, career journeys, and experiences—sparking inspiration in the next generation of leaders and creators.
Special thanks to Maria Rundle for her active leadership in making this experience possible.

Join us at the Changing States symposium tomorrow, 4/25 at Tanglewood. This is a free, public symposium that will bring together members of the public, artists, scientists, local leaders and thinkers, to explore what's possible when artistic and scientific processes combine to confront a changing climate. Flying Cloud will be on the panel for this event, sharing information on our school residency programs.

TLI Presents: Changing States — An Arts and Ecology Symposium Home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops. World-class performances at Symphony Hall, Tanglewood, and beyond — browse concerts and get tickets.

Congratulations to our Board Member, Liliana Atanacio! 🤩

We love ending our week with joyful news-

Announcing the 2026 Berkshire Nonprofit Award Honorees:
Liliana Atanacio/Board Leadership
Sabrina Allard/ Executive Leadership
Cathy Marchetto/ Lifetime Achievement
Jennifer Golin/ RockStar
Kathryn Benson/ Unsung Hero
Lisa Alberti/ Volunteer
Gloria Williams/ Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership

Congrats to all and all the nominees.
And thank you to our 22 judges from across the county (nonprofits, businesses and municipal employees) who spent care and time reading through each nomination.

Get your TICKETS now to celebrate with this wonderful group on May 19th from 8-10:30am at the Country Club of Pittsfield: https://npcberkshires.org/product/nonprofit-awards-ticket/

It's time to look to the skies for another session of the Future Innovators Camp at the Berkshire Innovation Center, familiarly known as "Rocket Camp." This year, we're adding more rocketry, plus another day to the camp! It runs August 10-14, 9:00 am-3:00 pm, for youth entering 4-8th grade. Tuition is $500, with financial aid available. Register through our website.

Flying Cloud Rocket Camp Learners had a literal blast this week during Flying Cloud Institute's Rocket Camp.Music: Departure Progress! via Filmora ...

Last Friday, Flying Cloud led a fun and educational Science and Art Half Day at Clarksburg Elementary!

Students in grades K-5 learned about the topography of their area by making colorful maps with paper mountains and valleys, then adding soft raindrops or storm precipitation to see how the water flowed from ridge lines to basins. They also learned about soil strata, seedless plants, and the awesome water-retaining powers of the marsh in the school biome. Then, these young scientists made Mason jar terraria to take a little piece of their school habitat home.

In conclusion, students learned about how wetlands like theirs influence the ecology and topography of the area, and why they are so important for local watersheds. Thank you to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission for funding this project! 💓

Do you know a high school-aged girl who is interested in learning and applying their tech skills to address real-world problems? Join the FREE Girls in Tech [GiT] Hackathon this Saturday, April 11th, 9am to 4pm at the Berkshire Innovation Center. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYF77odEMDyhRRfu9nO2QR3CmJPeavC7exRB0Ci95DuJs3nQ/viewform