Why Kids Should Learn to Play with Robots

As orthodontists, we’re no strangers to technology: Whether it’s making molds, scanning technology, or working with new orthodontic treatments like 3M Unitek Braces, orthodontics are constantly evolving and becoming more modern.

Part of our rapidly-changing world is the rise of robots, and believe it or not, you don’t need to be an engineer at the CMU Robotics Institute to work with them. Actually, more and more kids these days are being exposed to robots at an early age -- in fact, Shaler Area High School’s robotics team, “Fish’s Minions,” won the Best Robotics Design award at the VEX Robotics Competition back in March. Many other schools in the North Hills area feature robotics programs as well, including North Hills High School.

Working with robots offers many developmental advantages to kids as their brains grow and they prepare for a workforce that increasingly depends on technological skills. Here are some benefits:

Confidence & Positivity

Kids who start working with robotics early on can get a crucial confidence boost and can develop better attitudes towards doing things that challenge them. Often times, students who have trouble in science class will actually do a good job working with robots. Robotics can also hone students’ abilities to follow instructions, improve problem solving skills, and more. Educational robotics kits can be a great resource for students struggling with confidence!

Patience & Persistence

Let’s face it -- working with tools and machines can be hard. Especially with educational robotics kits, the parts and components must fit together perfectly for the robot to function. This takes practice and doesn’t always go smoothly the first time around. Robots can be a great way to teach children patience, persistence, and dedication. Failure is a step closer to success.

Science!

Learning about robots usually helps kids learn about other scientific concepts as well. Obviously, robotics can be a great tool for teaching kids about physics and engineering. But putting together a solar-powered model vehicle can also teach kids about solar panels and how light gets converted into energy. Or an all-terrain robotic vehicle can be used as a way of teaching kids about geological formations.

Even if your child doesn’t have a robotics program at his or her school, you can purchase robotics kits online for use at home! Here are some recommendations:

The Hummingbird Robotics kit, designed by Carnegie Mellon’s CREATE Lab

Edmund Scientifics

Maker Shed

RobotShop

And of course, on Amazon

Did you know we have a brand new office in the North Hills? Call us today for a consultation at 412.369.0600.

Volunteer Opportunities in the North Hills

With the school year here in Pittsburgh ending in a few months, parents might be looking for ways for their children -- or themselves -- to keep busy during the summer. Fortunately, there are lots of opportunities to volunteer in the vicinity of our offices in the North Hills.

Volunteering can be an extremely gratifying experience, especially for kids and teens who might not be able to have consistent commitments throughout the summer due to family vacations and other events. Here are some options that you can share with your family -- even if you just volunteer once, it makes a difference!

North Hills Community Outreach

North Hills Community Outreach is an extremely organized, efficient organization benefiting North Hills residents young and old who are facing crisis, hardship and poverty.Their full list of volunteer opportunities can be found here. Their offer a wide selection of programs that you can volunteer in, from their garden, to their Open Your Heart to a Senior Program, to financial coaching, to career mentoring.

Crisis Center North

Crisis Center North assists victims of domestic violence in the North hills community through a variety of resources and confidential services. They provides free empowerment counseling and advocacy to adult, teen, and child victims of domestic violence in the northern and western communities of Allegheny County. Crisis Center North also provides educational programming to community and school programs.

You can learn more about their volunteer opportunities here, which include:

• Hotline Counseling
• Legal Advocacy
• Speakers Bureau/Prevention Education
• Fundraising
• Clerical Tasks
• Board Membership/Committee Volunteer

Shaler/Ross Meals on Wheels

Run through the Lutheran Service Society, Ross/Shaler meals on wheels needs volunteers! Individuals are needed to help in the kitchen to prepare meals and to go on deliveries to clients’ homes. This is a great way to meet people in the North Hills community -- help is needed most during the week in the morning and you can choose to volunteer daily, weekly, monthly, or even seasonally. You can learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.

Shaler Garden Club

The Shaler Garden Club was founded in 1921, and is still working to beautify the community.  Learn about gardening, plant civic gardens, conserve and protect our natural environment, inspire others with the love of gardening, all while building lasting friendships.  The Club hosts a perennial plant sale at Kiwanis Park in May and serves the community in so many ways.