STEM Pipeline to bring STARLAB to local teachers, students

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NORTH ADAMS - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the lead partner in the Berkshire STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Pipeline, this week will bring Digital Starlab, a portable planetarium, to local elementary school teachers and students. Starlab will be on the MCLA campus today and Wednesday, Sept. 19, 3-6 p.m., at Venable Hall, where elementary school teachers will undergo teacher training. Starlab also will be at Abbott Memorial School on Florida mountain on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 10:30 a.m., for an astronomy lesson. Digital Starlab is a compact planetarium projection system designed to produce starfield images for portable and small fixed domes. It features a custom fisheye lens, capable of depicting an accurate, high-contrast (12,000:1), simulated night sky with the capacity to explore a multitude of motions and displays eliminating the need for additional slide projectors, video projectors, sound systems or computers. Covering a full 180 degrees on the dome, the small bright stars remain spherical right down to the horizon. Using a laptop interface, users can choose from a set of 12 scripted, national standards-based lessons or two full curriculum modules that are included with the system. The Massachusetts Pipeline Fund was established by the Acts of 2003 Economic Stimulus Trust Fund and is directed by the Board of Higher Education. The first stage of funding created seven regional networks, including the Berkshire STEM Pipeline. The goal of these network partners is to build a pipeline between higher education, PreK-16, businesses, and non-profit agencies for the improvement of science, technology, engineering and math education. Aligned with the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education, the Pipeline also aims to increase student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – both as fields of study and as potential careers. Other STEM activities held at MCLA include the Region I High School Science Fair and the Region I Middle School Science Fair, and the Bose “In Harmony with Education” program. For more information go to www.mcla.edu/pipeline
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Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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