After School programs

Half Day Workshops

Flying Cloud uses early dismissal days to provide children with three hours of workshops in the arts, sciences and engineering led by area specialists. These half days resemble the Flying Cloud Summer Program format of ninety minute sessions that give children hands-on experiences that allow them to investigate topics in a small group. The professional leader gives them individual attention and inspiration. Children may be separated into age appropriate groups but often mixed ages work together. Past workshops have included: Environmental Science, Robotics, Basket Making, Paper Marbling, Felt Making, Ceramics, Print making.

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Pottery

Ceramics classes are open ended to encourage children to form their own ideas and methods. Classes are limited to twelve students. Each student is invited to determine the daily project and is instructed about what hand building techniques may be needed to achieve a successful result. There is no limit to the number of projects a child can make but attention to the careful completion of each project is stressed. When children have a good grasp of the medium, they are invited to try to the potter’s wheel usually at grade three and up. A variety of decorative techniques are made available including slip decoration and glazing. Classes are held in an excellent high school ceramics studio. current schedule

Girls Club

GIRLS! (Girls Intelligent Real Loving Science) is a weekly science club held at local public schools for girls in grades four through six. It was designed by women research scientists and science educators with the goal of reinforcing girls’ interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) before the challenges of puberty distract them from their enthusiasm. Women specialists design the experiments and work with the high school girl mentors who guide the younger girls in the laboratory. These mentors are graduates of other YWIS programs and are excellent role models for the younger girls. During the hour and a half laboratory sessions girls explore topics not usually presented to elementary students. There is a final exhibition for parents and friends at the end of the season where the girls demonstrate what they have learned.
In 2010 Flying Cloud has added GIRLS! Science Clubs at Lee and Monument Valley for girls in grades 3/4 and 5/6, in addition to existing clubs at Undermountain and Mt. Everett.

Robotics

Flying Cloud Institute pioneered the robotics program at Southern Berkshire Regional Schools in 2004 by training staff and high school students in the LEGO robotics systems and the curriculum developed by the Tufts Engineering School. After school robotics clubs and competition teams have been sponsored by Flying Cloud until this year. At this time the school district has assumed full responsibility for most programs while Flying Cloud continues to support the Girlbots as part of the Young Women in Science program.