Science, Art Program Offered for School Break

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Participants make ice cream at a past school break program.
EGREMONT, Mass. — Flying Cloud Institute and Greenagers will once again hold a science and art exploration program during the February school break for children aged 7 to 13 years. It runs Feb. 17 - 20 from 9 to 3:30 (with early drop-off at 8:30 a.m.), at the April Hill Education and Conservation Center in South Egremont.
 
Participants will engage in science investigations, art projects, engineering challenges, and nature explorations. During the last school break, youth explored material science by making phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) polymers and learned about sound by making oscilloscopes. Children also took part in an engineering challenge by using sticks, marshmallows and straws to design structures, and were then introduced to TinkerCad design software and 3D printers. They learned about sheep, visited a working sheep farm, observed wool and other fur samples under the microscope, and created felted wool projects. The program concluded with an outdoor walk, scavenger hunt, and showcase of creations.
 
The February break program will be located at April Hill, which serves as the headquarters for Greenagers, as well as a resource for community gatherings and education. The nearly 100-acre property has nature trails, vegetable gardens, orchards, pastures and hayfields, and abuts the Appalachian Trail. 
 
"Flying Cloud Institute is excited to partner with Greenagers this February break. We look forward to engaging youth with dynamic science and art activities to ignite their creativity," said Executive Director Maria Rundle.
 
The cost is $250 for the four-day program and financial aid is available. To register, visit flyingcloudinstitute.org or call 413-645-3058 with questions.
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Prosperity Way Phase 1 Complete; Berkshire Gas Volunteer Day

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Some 55 Avangrid/Berkshire Gas employees spent the day sawing, hammering and painting at Prosperity Way.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Prosperity Way was founded on the dream of creating an affordable neighborhood where local working families can own a home, build a future, and create lasting memories. Soon, that vision will become reality as homeowners begin moving in.
 
Nearly a year ago, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its three-phase affordable housing project. Now, volunteers are putting the final touches on the six homes and have already begun phase two. 
 
"One of the homeowners is closing on her house tomorrow, so she's moving in this weekend, and then the other family is moving in next week," said Habitat CEO Carolyn Valli. 
 
During Phase 2, seven additional homes will be built, the first modular ranch for that phase has been set, and the stick-built ranch is currently in construction. There are two additional ranches on site, to be set once foundations are cured and two colonial homes are scheduled for delivery on Monday, she said. 
 
Phase 3 will have the construction of another seven homes. Central Berkshire Habitat hopes to finish the project before 2028, dependent on securing sufficient grant funding to bridge the gap between construction costs and affordable sale prices, Valli said. 
 
Energy ran high on Thursday, as more than than 50 employee volunteers from Berkshire Gas, a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., spent the day helping move the project forward through painting, landscaping, and construction work.
 
"We are an energy company in all aspects. We generate wind energy, we have electric utilities and gas utilities, and this crew is demonstrating their energy for a good cause today to support home building for folks who might otherwise never be able to afford a home," said Chris Farrell, Berkshire Gas' communications and government relations manager. 
 
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