January 2011 Newsletter: Pangaea ring - Ms. Kim Rose
I introduce Ms. Kim Rose, the executive director of Viewpoints Research Institute, as a Pangaea Ring writer for this month. She has been a great supporter of Pangaea from the beginning.
Hello Ring readers,
I am Kim Rose, founder and Executive Director of Viewpoints Research Institute, a non profit organization based in Southern California (www.vpri.org) .
I was introduced to Yumiko Mori and Toshiyuki Takasaki in 2002 by a mutual colleague at the MIT Media Lab. Our organization had just been invited by Kyoto University and the Kyoto schools to work with teachers and children to introduce them to "Squeak" -- the free and open source software created by our group to build models and make simulations. Squeak is a program designed to help children better understand mathematical concepts and scientific phenomena (like gravity or friction) and enable them to use the computer to extend their own creativity. Squeakhttp://www.squeakland.org/ runs on all types of computers including the One Laptop Per Child's "XO". Please visit www.squeakland.org to learn more.
When we first met, Yumi and Toshi were involved with CAMP (Children's Art Museum & Park). At the same time, they were starting to get Pangaea and its programs under way. We worked together to hold some workshops at CAMP. At these workshops we showed children, their parents and teachers how they could create "Etoys" using our Squeak software. Later, after Pangaea was established, we continued to investigate how to create fun learning environments (some over a long distance) where adults and children could learn and play together, and use IT to help bring children from around the world together to explore cultures other than their own. It was apparent our organizations would have a long-lasting relationship.
I believe that people working toward common goals with similar beliefs tend to find one another. This is how Viewpoints Research and Pangaea were brought together. At the heart of both our organizations lay the idea that education can lead to the understanding that humans are more alike than they are different. We can come to understand cultural differences and celebrate them, rather than fear them. Through organizations such as ours, we will work to try to solve some of the most difficult problems we face today -- whether it is in regard to the environment, health and hygiene or communications. We can help our children create a better world filled with understanding and compassion toward one another.
I encourage you to stay involved with Pangaea and play your part to help them meet their worthy goals.
Kim Rose
Executive Director
Viewpoints Research Institute
Glendale, California
I am Kim Rose, founder and Executive Director of Viewpoints Research Institute, a non profit organization based in Southern California (www.vpri.org) .
I was introduced to Yumiko Mori and Toshiyuki Takasaki in 2002 by a mutual colleague at the MIT Media Lab. Our organization had just been invited by Kyoto University and the Kyoto schools to work with teachers and children to introduce them to "Squeak" -- the free and open source software created by our group to build models and make simulations. Squeak is a program designed to help children better understand mathematical concepts and scientific phenomena (like gravity or friction) and enable them to use the computer to extend their own creativity. Squeakhttp://www.squeakland.org/ runs on all types of computers including the One Laptop Per Child's "XO". Please visit www.squeakland.org to learn more.
When we first met, Yumi and Toshi were involved with CAMP (Children's Art Museum & Park). At the same time, they were starting to get Pangaea and its programs under way. We worked together to hold some workshops at CAMP. At these workshops we showed children, their parents and teachers how they could create "Etoys" using our Squeak software. Later, after Pangaea was established, we continued to investigate how to create fun learning environments (some over a long distance) where adults and children could learn and play together, and use IT to help bring children from around the world together to explore cultures other than their own. It was apparent our organizations would have a long-lasting relationship.
I believe that people working toward common goals with similar beliefs tend to find one another. This is how Viewpoints Research and Pangaea were brought together. At the heart of both our organizations lay the idea that education can lead to the understanding that humans are more alike than they are different. We can come to understand cultural differences and celebrate them, rather than fear them. Through organizations such as ours, we will work to try to solve some of the most difficult problems we face today -- whether it is in regard to the environment, health and hygiene or communications. We can help our children create a better world filled with understanding and compassion toward one another.
I encourage you to stay involved with Pangaea and play your part to help them meet their worthy goals.
Kim Rose
Executive Director
Viewpoints Research Institute
Glendale, California
Posted by: kumakinoko | 4. Pangaea Ring
