MCLA Offers Two New Science Campus in Pittsfield and North Adams

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NORTH ADAMS – The Continuing Education Department at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is accepting applications for two new summer camps for children ages 8 to 14: “Summer Science Camp,” Aug. 11-15 at MCLA, and “Robotics Camp 2,” Aug. 4-8 at the Intermodal Education Center in Pittsfield.

Both camps are designed for girls and boys with interests in science and robotics.

At Summer Science Camp, daily activities include science experiments, creative games and the development of critical thinking. Activities include field trips to MCLA’s biology, chemistry and physics labs, a visit to “outer space” in the Starlab inflatable planetarium, as well as swimming, games and arts projects. In addition, campers will be introduced to some new robotic devices as they build small robots from kits.

Robotics Camp 2 is designed to allow the campers to work individually, in teams and in groups as they each built a LEGO™ MindStorms robot. Instructors will provide individual assistance and instruction and facilitate challenges, performance testing, competitions and modifications to projects.

No familiarity with LEGO™ MindStorms is needed; this course is designed for beginners and experienced robot builders. Other activities will include building bottle rockets and visiting the Berkshire Museum. Participants of both camps will be required to bring their own lunch and snack. The cost is $190. Campers may be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. and picked up between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Both camps are sponsored by MCLA in collaboration with the Berkshire STEM Pipeline and the Berkshire Applied Technology Council. For more information, contact Melissa James at 413-662-5543, or go to www.mcla.edu/pipeline/bp/Student%20Resources.php.
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Dalton Voters to Decide Moveable ADUs at Special Town Meeting

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — It's time for voters to decide if they want to permit mobile accessory dwelling units in town and a special town meeting has been set to do just that. 
 
For more than two years, Amy Turnbull has been advocating to amend the town's current bylaws to allow mobile tiny homes but has met obstacles delaying the effort.  
 
On Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m., voters will convene at Wahconah Regional High School to decide on the topic, and four other items centered around funding for the Clean Air Committee and the town's Department of Public Works roof repair project. 
 
Turnbull initially presented this item at the annual town meeting but it was "tabled" so a public hearing could be held. 
 
Like many meetings before, this hearing resulted in little movement as the Planning Board decided to neither support or oppose the proposed bylaw.  
 
During the signing of the warrant, Select Board member John Boyle expressed his hesitation about placing this item on a special town meeting warrant, citing historically low attendance at such meetings.
 
"It's very important and going to be a very controversial thing … Important issues should be at an annual town meeting," he said. 
 
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