At peak magnitude, seek out the goddess of love planet in a clear blue sky in the west-southwest during daylight hours, being extremely careful to keep eyes diverted from the sun.
“This is the ultimate in project-based learning...the kids have to think creatively as well as technically, and then communicate their ideas and work in a group environment. These are all top level 21st century skills. They have to build, wire, and program all while facing a competition deadline.”
-- Chris Thompson, Mt. Everett Regional High School Technology Coordinator
The Rubik’s Cube has become the best-selling toy ever with more than 350 million of the colorful cubes sold since its release. I remember sitting with my siblings as a very young girl watching them try to figure out this never ending puzzle.
Many local students who also love trees and the forest and the pleasures of spending time outdoors might not realize that they could build these predilections into solid and satisfying work when they finish school.
Planet Jupiter, visible in the east soon after sundown, dominates the eastern periphery of the crowded field of brilliant stars known as the Winter Circle or Winter Hexagon.
Local author and polio survivor, Karen Chase, shared her experiences with a new generation. addressing an Advanced Placement Language and Composition Class at Monument Mountain Regional High School.
In deepening twilight, above Venus the planet Mars emerges, with its dim but steady, rusty-gold to orange light. The two planets appear closer together each evening, an exquisite show culminating on the 20th when a waxing, eyelash crescent moon joins the pair the day before their closest approach.
“Academic rigor, an emphasis on writing clearly, discussion based classrooms, accountability and community amongst peers and faculty, intellectual curiosity. Learning as FUN.”
-- Kathryn Boswell, Simon’s Rock professor of anthropology, describing the curriculum of the Bard Academy for early high school students.
“There’s no such thing as free will. Astronomy was my destiny. My first memory of life is looking into the night sky from my carriage or stroller. I memorized every star in the sky and their spectral classes by the time I was 12 or 13 years old."
-- Astronomer Bob Berman
In mid-January the northern hemisphere comes out of the darkest days of the year, the days on either side of the winter solstice. At a quickened pace, daylight lifts the late afternoon. An increase to 9 hours 57 minutes will be experienced on January 31.
Uniquely, right now it is easy for relatively late risers to enjoy the beauty and wonder of celestial dawn. Beginning today and lasting through January 10, sunup in our locale is at 7:22 a.m., the latest of the year.
"The cosmos, for me, is a vast space to explore for both beauty and science. The beauty is self-evident…. The science is important to help understand the place humankind has in the universe and even in daily life."
-- Astrophotographer Kent DeGroff
One of the most common complaints heard in the Berkshires is that young Berkshire county residents have few opportunities to stay here after high school and make a good living.
Since 2012, Monument has increased the number of students participating in AP while improving the number of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher.
