Flying Cloud Institute promotes creative thinking, problem solving, and mastery learning in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) through an integrated approach that includes the visual and performing arts. It provides children from kindergarten through high school with opportunities to engage in real world experiences under the supervision of professionals in these fields who inspire them to reach their full potential. Based on a 200 acre colonial farmstead in New Marlborough, the Institute was founded by Jane and Lawrence Burke in 1980 as a center for community education specializing in environmental education, energy and land conservation, and the arts. It now offers an array of programs in the arts and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) year round that serve over 2000 children at a number of locations including area public schools. The Institute's programs feature interdisciplinary approaches to learning that engage children in creative hands-on activities, many have environmental science and conservation themes. The goal is to build deep life changing relationships with children so programs are designed to support their development over time from elementary school years through high school graduation. We accept all children regardless of socio-economic status and we actively seek lower income and underserved families providing free bus transportation and bilingual staff where needed.