May, 2008
If you Refer a friend that is not already a subscriber to the Red Apple News,
we will put your name and theirs in a drawing for dinner for two
at Atria's Restaurant.
We would like to welcome you to our monthly Red Apple Newsletter. Our mission is to help parents help their children.
Our goal with this publication is to bring parents academic and educational resources and also family oriented things to do in the Pittsburgh area. If you have an article you would like to submit, or an event that is great for families, please contact us.
Roboworld
PITTSBURGH, April 9, 2008 — Carnegie Science Center today announced
plans to open roboworld, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive
permanent robotics exhibition, in spring 2009.
The $3.4 million exhibition will permanently occupy a 6,000 square-
foot exhibit area on the second floor of the Science Center currently
used for touring exhibitions and will feature more than 30 hands-on,
interactive exhibit stations in three thematic areas focusing on
robotic sensing, thinking and acting.
The three thematic areas within the exhibition will highlight
technological achievements as well as current and developing
technology. The sensing area will feature technologies demonstrating
the innovative ways robots collect data about the world, including
machines with vision, motion detection, and ultrasonic mapping
abilities. In the thinking area, exhibits will explore how robots are
programmed to process information and act accordingly, including the
many facets of robot intelligence, from basic programming to advanced
artificial intelligence systems that simulate human thought and
emotions. Exhibits demonstrating how robots walk, roll, climb, fly,
grasp and use tools, collect materials and build structures will be
the focus of the acting section of the exhibition.
roboworld is made possible in part by $1 million leadership gifts
from Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Bozzone and from The Grable Foundation.
More than $2.5 million has been raised toward the construction of
roboworld, with approximately $1 million still needed to complete the
exhibition.
For more information on roboworld, please contact Mike Marcus.
For more information on ways you can help, please contact Kim Amey.
 May is National Physical Education Month!
Physical Education, Physical Activity and Academic Performance
In schools across the United States, physical
education has been substantially reduced—and
in some cases completely eliminated—in
response to budget concerns and pressures to
improve academic test scores. Yet the available
evidence shows that children who are physically
active and fit tend to perform better in the
classroom, and that daily physical education
does not adversely affect academic performance.
Schools can provide outstanding learning
environments while improving children’s health
through physical education.
The complete article can be accessed HERE.
Raising Good Citizens
As a parent, I continually search to find the answers to help my children avoid the big
pitfalls in life. How can I protect them from drinking and drugs? How can we avoid serious
automobile accidents? What can I do to motivate them to succeed?
A few years ago I found a big answer to my questions in the book, The Tipping Point, by Malcolm
Gladwell. In his book, Malcolm reviewed volumes of research seeking to learn why groups of people
act the way they do. He uncovered why some people choose to smoke. He found out why rational, religious
individuals sometimes act with total disregard to the beliefs that they have been taught.
Gladwell´s discoveries floored me. I expected that the morals and virtues that we teach
at home would guide our children. But research showed that there is another factor. A factor
much more powerful in influencing how students behave when faced with difficult choices.
The Tipping Point shows that in the vast majority of situations, an individual´s actions
are determined by what their peer group would do. Example after example showed that peer influence
far over rides all of the lessons and preaching that we infuse at home. His conclusion teaches us
that our most important job is to control "who" our children have in their social group.
If you are not comfortable with Suzie´s new friend because of the music she listens to or the
clothes she wears, take time to learn much more about this friend, then decide. If you learn that
Johnny´s fifteen year old buddy drinks alcohol at parties, step in to stop his association immediately.
Yes, we should all continue to teach and preach good virtues at home, school and church, because I
believe that there is great power in this. In addition, we must be vigilant in exerting great influence
in "who" our kids spend their time with. The more effective we are at this, the more
likely our children will stay on the straight and narrow.
A Year With Frog and Toad sponsored by Children's Hospital of UPMC
MAY 10 - 25 - Hopping from page to stage, best friends Frog and Toad embark on a
year-long escapade filled with fun, adventure and important life lessons. Along their journey,
these beloved characters (based on the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel) and their colorful companions
share special lessons about friendship and appreciating one another´s differences.
A Year wil Frog nad Toad will be at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Rockwell Theatre. Visit the website for performance details.
Pittsburgh International Children's Festival
MAY 14-15-16-17-18 - The 22nd Pittsburgh International Children´s Festival offers ticketed performing
arts shows and interactive Eco-Discovery sessions at venues near the University of Pittsburgh. Free
performances on an outdoor KidStage, hands-on and cultural activities, and more are available on the lawns of the
university, the Cathedral of Learning, and parts of Schenley Plaza. A complete schedule of performances, activities,
and advance ticket purchase are available online. Some performances may sell out; call ahead to confirm availability
before you go. Some activities may be cancelled in inclement weather.
Visit the website for more details.
The 52nd Annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
May 16, 17, 18, - A weekend-long multicultural celebration of more than 30 nationalities featuring traditional ethnic entertainment, food and refreshments. Shop in the international bazaar, learn a dance, see traditional crafts or visit the cultural exhibits to learn more about a country and its people. There is something for everyone to enjoy!
Visit the Pittsburgh Folk Festival website for more information!
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