Weekday community-based educational opportunities can be found throughout the four counties of Western MA all year long!

This week we are featuring 10 events that can be selected to support the interests and education of self-directed teens, homeschoolers and life-long learners:

• Berkshire County
• Franklin County
• Hampshire County
• Hampden County

Check our list of Weekly Suggested Events for our comprehensive list, including ongoing learning and play opportunities for younger children and intergenerational community events.

Berkshire County

Thursday, November 6, 7pm – FILM STUDIES: Come experience the earliest feature-length animated film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926), at the Berkshire Museum‘s Little Cinema. The film features live accompaniment by Ben Model, who will play the film’s score live for audience members. Older students interested in film and the history of film will enjoy this screening. 413-443-7171. 39 South Street. Pittsfield, MA. ($)

Franklin County

Wednesday, November 5, 6pm-8pm – MUSIC STUDIES/HISTORY: The Greenfield Public Library presents “The Beatles: Band of the Sixties” with Aaron Krerowicz as part of their First Wednesdays Speaker Series. The talk focuses on the history and music of The Beatles. Best for older students interested in music and history. 413-772-1544. 402 Main Street. Greenfield, MA. (FREE)

Wednesday, November 5, 6:30pm – CLIMATE STUDIES: UMass Climatologist Raymond Bradley will present on climate change at the Sunderland Public Library. Best for older students interested in climate science. 413-665-2642. 20 School St. Sunderland, MA. (FREE)

Friday, November 7, 7pm-9pm – LOCAL HISTORY: Discover the history of the Loudville Lead Mine with the Pioneer Valley Institute and Wayne Perrea. Perrea will present on the history of the mines, which were first worked over 300 years ago. He will display artifacts and minerals from the sites, historical maps, writings and tools from the era, and more. This is a great chance for older students and adults to learn about local history and industry in the Pioneer Valley. 413-775-1671. 1 College Drive. Greenfield, MA.

Hampshire County

Monday, November 3, 7pm – DANCE STUDIES: See the world-renowned Russian ballet company Bolshoi Ballet perform The Legend of Love on the big screen at Amherst Cinema. The performance was filmed live and will be screened at the Cinema for dance lovers of all ages. Tickets available in advance. 413-253-2547. 28 Amity Street. Amherst, MA. ($$)

Wednesday, November 5, 7pm – ORNITHOLOGY: Amherst Cinema’s “Science on Screen” events pair science or science-fiction films with talks by actual scientists. Learn about the birds of New York City and those who watch them at a screening of Birders: The Central Park Effect. The film follows several birders as they search for and document the wild birds of Central Park. Jeff LeBaron, the Christmas Bird Count Director at the National Audubon Society, will speak about the importance of Central Park to ornithologists and citizen science. Older students interested in birds and birding will enjoy this film. 413-253-2547. 28 Amity Street. Amherst, MA. ($)

Thursday, November 6, 7pm – SOCIAL JUSTICE: Join the Jones Library for a screening of White Like Me: Race, Racism, and White Privilege in America, which explores race and racism in the United States through the lens of whiteness and white privilege. Best for older students who want to learn more about social justice and racial inequality in the United States. 413-259-3090. 43 Amity Street. Amherst, MA. (FREE)

Thursday, November 6, 7:30pm – CULTURAL STUDIES/PERFORMANCE: The National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China is a world-renowned circus troupe that performs daring acrobatics to traditional and modern music. They will put on an exciting performance at the UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall on November 6. All ages will have a blast seeing these amazing feats performed live! 413-545-2511. 151 Presidents Drive. Amherst, MA. ($$)

Friday, November 7, 7pm-8:30pm – ANIMAL STUDIES: Learn about Massachusetts’ largest land animal, the moose, with Mass Audubon at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Moose, which were once considered rare, can now be found all over the region. Ralph Taylor, of Mass Wildlife, will teach about moose and discuss their natural history. Best for adults and teens interested in animals. Registration is required. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Road. Easthampton, MA. ($)

Hampden County

Monday, November 3, 6pm – LOCAL HISTORY/TEXTILES: Learn about the textile industry and local history at the Wistariahurst Museum’s “Threads that Bind” lecture series. This week, Dennis Picard will present “Twilly, Willy, Jenny, and Jack and the Northeast’s Earliest Water Powered Textile Machine.” He will discuss the machines that were operated by immigrants to the area in the past. Best for older students interested in local history and textiles. 413-322-5660. 238 Cabot Street. Holyoke, MA. ($)