Flying Cloud Brings Free Science and Art Event to the BIC

03:42PM / Monday, October 20, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 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 Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

This is the sixth STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Challenge Night led by FCI, with support from the Berkshire STEM Pipeline and the BIC. The event coincides with Massachusetts' 8th Annual STEM Week to boost students' interest in STEM fields and is part of the MA Lights On After School celebration.

"Flying Cloud Institute invites local families to celebrate creativity and innovation with us. It will be so much fun and family members can really get into the hands-on activities, too!" said 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. Staff members from Berkshire Museum will explore how a physics zipline works, while BeatNest School demonstrates electro music stations and Berkshire Design presents a design challenge. Participants will explore 3-D scanning and printing with Berkshire Innovation Center representatives and Bottomless Bricks will help students design and build using LEGO elements. Staff from Berkshire Art Center, Greenagers, Hancock Shaker Village, Mass Audubon, and Latinas413 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 through contributions by Adirondack Payroll Services, Associated Lightning Rod, Berkshire Design Inc., Berkshire Money Management, Blue Q, Elyse Harney Real Estate, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Guido's Fresh Marketplace, Herrington's, Interprint USA, J Kuhn Copper, Lee Bank, Onyx Specialty Papers, Warrior Trading and Webster Landscape, Inc. If you want to be a community sponsor or donate items to the event, please contact Amy Truax, Development Manager, at (413) 645-3058 or visit flyingcloudinstitute.org for the sign-up form.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Neal's Office Among Those Targeted by Suspicious Mailings

Staff Reports12:28PM / Wednesday, October 21, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was among congressmen apparently targeted by someone mailing suspicious envelopes.

According to a report in The Berkshire Eagle, an envelope containing a powdery substance was discovered by postal inspectors before reaching Neal's Pittsfield office in the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building.

Nearly 40 members of Congress have received envelopes containing white powder, according to The Guardian. More than 100 letters are thought to be in the U.S. mail system and the FBI, Capitol Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were investigating the mailings that have also been sent to elections officials in various states.

The mailings have been sent to both Republican and Democrat officeholders and several congressional district offices had to be evacuated in the last week or so after envelopes were opened in them.

Earlier today, my Bronx district office received an envelope delivered by mail that contained a suspicious substance. Local law enforcement responded swiftly and, after investigating, determined the substance to be non-hazardous.
— Rep. Ritchie Torres (@repritchie.bsky.social) October 16, 2026 at 3:10 PM

The Guardian reported that the FBI is warning officials to look for envelopes processed through a north Texas center and that carry a postmark or stamp stating "Thinking of You."

The Eagle states that Neal's office was alerted on Saturday that it might be getting a suspicious package; inspectors seized the envelope at the Fenn Street post office on Monday.

View Full Story