GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Tuesday afternoon’s lesson in Dave Edson’s 7th grade science class at the W.E.B. Du Bois Middle School wasn’t just an ordinary lesson. It was part of a series of lessons taught by a local education nonprofit called the Flying Cloud Institute.

“We come into a school, and we teach out the science, technology, and engineering Massachusetts state standards through hands-on investigations, explorations,” said Maria Rundle, Flying Cloud Institute’s executive director. “And then, we bring in a creative artistic experience to help the students make visible their learning.” 

What You Need To Know

  • The Flying Cloud Institute teaches hands-on science lessons at local schools

  • All their lessons combine science topics with artistic expression

  • In one class in Great Barrington, students are making claymation videos about geology

  • After nearly two years of virtual and hybrid learning, the hands-on lessons are especially welcome

In this class, students are creating claymation videos about geology topics. On Tuesday, they worked on their storyboards and built the sets for the videos.

Rundle said it might seem odd to combine science and art, but the two processes are actually very similar.

“This idea of exploration and meaning making, this discovery process that scientists and artists both have, is actually very closely linked,” said Rundle.

Flying Cloud works closely with the school’s teachers to come up with lessons to fit their curriculum.

After nearly two years of virtual and hybrid learning, the hands-on experiences are especially welcome.

“It’s a relief, because they get to play,” said Edson. “And that’s what kids are supposed to do.”

“High engagement activities really makes the content come alive,” said Ben Doren, the principal of the W. E. B. Du Bois Middle School. “But it’s also partially the social and emotional skills that come with just hands-on, high interest activities.”

For teachers like Edson, it’s helpful to bring a fresh perspective into the classroom, and the lessons have a lasting impact.

“You can see the looks on the kids’ faces and the enthusiasm in what they’re doing when they get to work with all these different things and have this common goal, and get to put their own creative stamp on things,” said Edson. “And that’s all because of what Flying Cloud lays out for them.”