Pittsfield, MA — 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 the newly-renovated Berkshire Museum on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. This is the seventh STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Challenge Night led by FCI, with support from the Berkshire STEM Pipeline and the Berkshire Museum. The event coincides with Massachusetts’ 9th Annual STEM Week to boost students’ interest in STEM fields.
“Flying Cloud Institute invites local families to join us for an evening of STEAM Challenges led by some of your favorite Berkshire science and art organizations. It’s so much fun for kids and parents, too!” says FCI Executive Director Maria Rundle.
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: Educators from the Berkshire Museum will explore the hieroglyphics of Ancient Egypt with pH-sensitive paper, while Berkshire Design and Terra Design-Build present engineering challenges, and Crane Museum demonstrates the art of papermaking. Participants can build a yo-yo with Berkshire Innovation Center representatives and drive a robot or fly a drone with students from Mt. Everett Regional School. Mass Audubon will host a nature printmaking activity, resulting in a piece of art that participants will get to take home. Staff from BeatNest, the Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Bike and Board, Berkshire Community College, Berkshire Country Day, Berkshire STEM Network, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Boyd Biomedical, DCR Management Forestry, Greenagers, Hancock Shaker Village, Norman Rockwell Museum, and Sharp Sterile Manufacturing will also be leading kid-centered challenge activities.
Complimentary refreshments will be served. Families are encouraged to register online at flyingcloudinstitute.org but it is not required for this free event.
This event is made possible thanks to contributions by Adams Community Bank, Adirondack Payroll Services, Beacon Bank, Berkshire Design Inc., Blue Q, Elyse Harney Real Estate, Carlson Propane, Crane Currency, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Haddad Auto Group, Herrington's, Jersey Mike’s, Lee Bank, MassHire, Milltown, National Grid, Neenah, Inc., Onyx Specialty Papers, the Red Sox Foundation, Target, and Webster Landscape, Inc. If you want to be a community sponsor or donate items to the event, please contact Stephanie DuPont, Development Manager, at (413) 645-3058 or visit flyingcloudinstitute.org for the sign-up form.
