Flying Cloud Institute Inspires Girls’ Love for Science
Flying Cloud Institute is based in Berkshire County.
Parity in positions of power and leadership is one of the Women’s Fund strategic pillars for advancing gender and racial equity in our region. To us, that means facilitating an increase in female representation in all positions of power and leadership across Western Massachusetts.
We are proud of the committee members who participated in this year’s trust-based philanthropy process to award funds for the crucial healing and recovery work throughout the four counties of Western Massachusetts.
How is your organization making a difference for women and girls in Western Massachusetts?
Flying Cloud Institute’s (FCI) mission is to inspire young people and educators through dynamic experiences with science and art that inspire creativity.
For over twenty years, FCI has offered Young Women in Science (YWIS) programs free of charge to underserved female-identified youth in Berkshire County in the form of after-school Girls Science Clubs, youth mentorship programs, STEM Summer workshops, and conferences for Women in STEM.
Throughout the pandemic, there has never been a more important time to engage our youth in empowering, hands-on investigations with authentic role models in order to build up their identities as capable, curious learners and to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
How is your organization working toward meeting the goals of our parity in positions of power and leadership pillar?
Our programs focus on girls in rural Berkshire County and urban Pittsfield who might have an inclination for STEM but find little encouragement, a lack of emphasis on STEM education in the public elementary schools, and little to no opportunity to interact with women STEM professionals who would serve as role models—all while facing the social stigma that girls are not good at STEM.
The societal barriers for women and girls in STEM have been persistent, especially for minority women and in the fields of engineering, mathematics, and physics. FCI’s program is built on the body of knowledge derived from extensive research, using the strategies of mentorship, hands-on engagement, and intentional identity-building practices to create a pathway for girls from grades 3 to 12 that offers continual support and opportunities for leadership. These programs are life-changing and open doors to economic independence in lucrative careers as well as building up the voices of our future female leaders.
”Because of her participation in YWIS from a young age, one graduate noted that, "It was too late to be afraid because I already knew I belonged there.”
FCI YWIS Participant
Can you share any stories of success?
One graduate noted that because of her participation in YWIS from a young age, she never even considered that science wasn’t for her and that by the time she got to college and found she was the only woman in her engineering class, “It was too late to be afraid because I already knew I belonged there.”
Do you have volunteer opportunities that you want to share with the friends of the Fund?
Help create a culture of excellence by sharing your expertise and life lessons with youth as a woman STEM professional or mentor. Professional women encourage both the mentors and girls to strive to be their best selves. Each program element reinforces that message and strengthens identity; builds intellectual and social skills; and engages mentors in service to others.
Including donations, what can our audience do now to help your organization’s mission?
- Sponsor a student or educator with your financial support by making a donation today.
- Volunteer in our after-school programs and share your expertise with the next generation.
- Join the board to have fun and meet new people while helping with fundraising, marketing, legal, or HR projects to help us increase our impact in Berkshire County and beyond!
