Berkshires Beat: Local Students Compete in Science Fair
Good job: Several middle schoolers from Berkshire County placed at the State Science and Engineering Fair at Worcester Technical High School on Saturday.
Noah Pereault from St. Agnes won a second place for his project, "The Sugar Situation."
Sydni Jamros, Nick Alibozek and Emily Godfrey from Hoosac got an honorable mention for "Hoverboard," as did BaRT student Fransisco Alicandri for "Which Alloy Conductors Conduct the Best?" and St. Agnes student Emma Kotelnick for "Do You See What I See?"
The Massachusetts Middle School Science & Engineering Fair is a forum for students in grades six through eight to explore "real world" science and engineering discovery through hands-on experience. There were 288 projects at the fair from more than 100 schools across the state.
Summer reading: The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield’s public library, will once again be offering a Summer Reading Program to patrons of all ages. The purpose of the Summer Reading Program is to encourage continued reading throughout the busy days of summer.
Readers of all ages are encouraged to register on or after June 27 and set personal reading goals. The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum, perennial supporters of the Children’s Summer Reading Club, are providing Friends memberships as raffle prizes for Adult readers. The raffle prizes for Teens are gift baskets containing movie tickets to the Beacon Cinema or gift cards to Ayelada.
To qualify for the raffle, registered readers should pick up a BINGO style card at the Athenaeum, customized separately for Teens and Adults, with suggested reading genres. Completed cards are dropped off at a library service desk; each completed card qualifies as a raffle entry. Participating readers have the option of tracking their reading progress through the online program; access to the online program will be through the Pittsfieldlibrary.org website.
The Summer Reading Programs will run June 27 through Aug. 20.
Youths needed: As summer draws near, BerkshireWorks wants to raise awareness about its Youth Works program which helps under-resourced city youth access summer employment in Pittsfield.
To date, there are more than 20 Pittsfield employers available to be matched with youth for the program, which will run from July 18 to Aug. 26. Participating youth must be 16-21 years old and residents of Pittsfield. Other eligibility requirements include proof of income level, proof of I.D. (photo ID, social security card, birth certificate if under 18), work permit, physical and letter of recommendation.
Though there is an extensive application process for youth to apply to the program, those who are accepted are guaranteed employment, working 25 hours a week. Youth will be paid $10 an hour, and will start work readiness training on July 11.
Anyone interested in this program can contact Kelly Groves at kgroves@berkshireworks.org or at 413-499-2220, ext.145.
Silver Sneakers: Eligible seniors can now attend free SilverSneakers classes at the Berkshire Family YMCA’s Northern Berkshire Branch until Sept. 30.
Funded by a grant from the Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Y’s SilverSneakers classes strive to increase heart-healthy endurance, muscle strength, balance and coordination to reduce injuries and falls. Specifically designed for seniors, the classes allow people of all ages to meet new friends, reconnect with others and try something new.
SilverSneakers Classic meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activities for daily living. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a SilverSneakers ball are offered for resistance. A chair is available if needed for seated or standing support
SilverSneakers Circuit meets Fridays from 7 to 8 a.m. Get moving with an aerobics class that’s safe, heart-healthy and gentle on the joints. The workout includes easy-to-follow low-impact movement, and upper-body strength, abdominal conditioning, stretching and relaxation exercises designed to energize your active lifestyle.
Eligible seniors must be at least 60 years old. Preference will be given to low-income seniors. To participate, non-members should visit the Y at 22 Brickyard Court to receive 2 free passes to SilverSneakers classes with the possibility of continued free guest access until Sept. 30. Members can take the classes, as well, at no additional cost. For more information, call 413-499-7650, ext. 137.
Seeking vendors: Vendors and crafters are wanted for The Holiday Craft Connection sponsored by and to be held at the United Methodist Church of Lenox, 6 Holmes Road, Lenox (located behind NBT Bank) on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission to the fair is free. For more information please call 413-243-2640, 413-464-2659 or email alliekatt0328@verizon.net. Registration and payment received by July 1, 2016, will be eligible for reduced fees.
