GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Flying Cloud Institute (FCI) has hired Christian Drake as Education Coordinator. 

 

In this role, Drake will work in the summer programs, vacation camps, classroom residencies, community events, and with the FCI team to inspire the next generation of artists and engineers. He brings multifaceted educational experiences to the organization as it continues to partner with local school districts to bring meaningful learning to students. Drake recently led the 2025 STEAM Challenge Night and a physics residency at Stearns Elementary School, while also offering after school SMArt Labs in Pittsfield and Great Barrington.

 

"I am an artist at heart, and I find my talents are specifically suited to interpreting science with other people. I'm really excited about hands-on, courage-building, experiential education. In Flying Cloud, I have found an organization that shares my values, in the critical habitat of ‘where science meets art,'" said Drake.

 

Drake's past experience includes teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) at LEAF Charter and Francis W. Parker Schools, as well as leading interactive and experiential science lessons at Nature's Classroom. He has also served as a park interpreter for the Mohawk Trail State Forest, where he overhauled and re-invigorated programming to engage and educate visitors about the park's unique forest ecosystems, geology and history, earning a 2023 MassDCR Excellence in Interpretation Award. 

 

Drake holds Massachusetts licensure to teach Middle School math and science for grades 5-8. He earned his Masters degree in education from Westfield State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampshire College. 

 

"We welcome Drake to the FCI team to inspire young people and educators through dynamic experiences with science and art that ignite creativity," remarked Executive Director Maria Rundle. "We feel so lucky to have found an educator in sync with our mission!"