A10 ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • NOVEMBER 7 - 13, 2013

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town Scientifically

St. Louis Regional Chamber Speaking Make Magical Memories In St. Louis This Holiday Season My Experience in YES By Stuart Aldrich nent, in which I worked with Mindstorms Holidays are for making happy memories, and Junior NXT. Then in summer we worked with few places rival St. Louis for holiday memory- Arduinos and taught Boy Scouts an introduc- making material. Hello, my name is Stuart tion to electronics. With help and Shimmering light displays, a rousing holiday Aldrich. I am fifteen years old kits from AT&T, in fall we started an parade, heart-warming theatrical performances and I am a teen at YES (Youth FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) team and stirring musical concerts multiple the magic Exploring Science).YES is a pro- (5456 “Metalstorm”). This time we of the holidays in St. Louis with lots of memo- gram at the Saint Louis Science built a smaller robot with less people, ries-in-the-making. Center for at-risk and underprivi- unfortunately we did not place in the Here is a sampling of the magical holiday mo- leged teens to learn about STEM regional. ments waiting for you in St. Louis. To see more, (Science, Technology, Engineering In winter 2011, as team 3858, we visit www.explorestlouis.com. and Math), through hands on decided to join the FRC 2012 season. Once more we were interviewed and Macy’s Festival of Lights oficially kicks off activities in agriculture, astronomy, St. Louis’ holiday season on Nov. 22 when, with chemistry, engineering and neuro- built a robot, however this time we built it bigger, stronger and better. In the lick of a switch, Kiener Plaza is drenched in science. colorful holiday lights. The festivities begin at 4 In late 2010, my mother was the regional we also had to rebuild Stuart Aldrich our bumpers for similar reasons. p.m., and are capped off with an exciting ire- looking for an FRC (FIRST works display. Entertainment on the Main Stage Robotics Competition) team for me Unfortunately we were not chosen for and in the Christmas Village will include Moscow to join. She found out that YES an alliance. Ballet Nutcracker St. Louis Dancers, Salvation was starting one for the 2011 sea- In spring 2012 I became a full teen, Army Brass Ensemble, Grand Center Arts Acad- son. I joined the team (3858 “Metalstorm”) as still in the robotics component. In the com- emy Show Choir, the St. Louis Christmas Carols programmer. After six weeks starting January ponent we worked more with Mindstorms. For summer we went to schools and taught Association, Muny Kids, Show-Me Sound and 2011, the team had been interviewed by a TV Rivertown Sound Quartet. station, and learned how to create a robot from Mindstorms to students at them, and went to The Midwest’s best holiday parade--the 29th scratch. Then in the St. Louis regional after a theater with other FRC and FTC teams to Annual Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Lights at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the recreating the bumpers for rule complacency, demonstrate our robots. Participation in these Parade--hits the streets of downtown St. Louis Snows in nearby Belleville, IL Nov. 22-Jan. 3, our alliance (a team of teams composed of robotics competitions has given many YES at 8:45 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 28. Think colorful 2014 where more than a million twinkling lights 931, 1706 and us) won 2nd place, an achieve- teens a great introduction to not only robotics, ment for a rookie team. but to teamwork and persistence as well. loats, marching bands, familiar storybook char- and electro-art displays portray the true Christmas acters and high-stepping equestrian units with an story along a mile-and-a-half route. Other activi- After all that, I joined YES as a volunteer appearance by Santa himself. ties include horse-drawn wagon rides, tree and teen in Spring 2011 in the robotics compo- Get a jump on your holiday shopping and wreath displays, camel rides, indoor laser show spend an entire fun-illed day at the family- and interactive children’s village. friendly Holiday Magic show Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at America’s Center where the activities include Musical mood-setters full-scale carnival rides, entertainment and hands- on arts and crafts projects for the kids. Looking for a musical mood-setter? Check out Diversity and Visitors to the Missouri Botanical Garden will these upcoming performances: delight in the Gardenland Express Nov. 23-Jan. • Ninth Annual Christmas at the Cathe- 5, 2014 (closed Dec. 25). G-scale model trains dral, Dec. 7-8 in the timeless splendor of Cathe- excellence in teaching zoom through a miniature landscape of living dral Basilica Saint Louis. The concert includes plants in a display surrounded by more than 500 performances by the Archdiocesan Adult Choir, American staff White said. “Therefore, our goal in this poinsettias and other lowers. Stick around for an Children’s Choir, Handbell Choir and Orchestra. study is to inform the design of policies evening stroll through the magical Garden Glow • A Christmas Carol at the Fox Theatre in A new Illinois Education Research Council and practices to improve the supply of when thousands of lights illuminate the Garden’s Grand Center, Dec. 5-8. What would the holidays (IERC) study focuses on the racial diversity academically skilled, diverse individuals into iconic buildings, walkways become sensory be without a visit with Scrooge, Tiny Tim and his and academic composition of Illinois’ teachers teaching.” light tunnels and traditional candlelight village family? and the factors that influence the makeup of Researchers conducting the study used displays radiate light. (closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and • 2013 Pandora Jewelry Presents Martina the state’s teacher corps. a longitudinal state database to track two Jan. 5) McBride: “The Joy of Christmas” Tour, at the Bradford R. White and Eric J. Illinois high school cohorts from the classes Does your child want to spend some quality Fox Theatre on Dec. 13. The country music star Lichtenberger, both from the IERC, and of 2002 and 2003 through college and into time with Santa? Sign him or her up for Breakfast goes holiday in a concert that includes holiday Karen J. DeAngelis from the University of the workforce. These students were tracked With Santa the world-renowned Saint Louis Zoo classics and hymns, a 12-piece band with a string Rochester, collaborated on the study and through five stages in the new teacher supply weekly on Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 7 to section and a video screen depicting scenes of the found that several factors contribute to the pipeline: college entry, enrollment in a four- Dec. 22 or Dinner With Santa, Dec. 20-23. Kids season. composition of the state’s teacher corps. year college, completion of a bachelor’s who attend get a photo with Santa, a gift and a • Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Dec. “Research has found that academically degree, achievement of teacher certification visit from costumed characters. 14-15 at Powell Hall in Grand Center. In a irst, skilled teachers have positive impacts and employment as Illinois public school the St. Louis Symphony performs the sounds of on student achievement and racial/ethnic teachers. Lights, lights and more lights Mannheim Steamroller Christmas with Chip Da- minority teachers have a positive impact on The study found that only 3.2 percent of vis’ modern symphonic arrangements of holiday minority student outcomes,” White said. “As the Illinois public high school students studied Colorful light displays permeate the holidays with songs. a result, there are currently numerous efforts became public school teachers by roughly a festive feel, and they abound in St. Louis. Here • Christmas Candlelight Concert by the underway to improve the selectivity and the a decade after completing high school. are some ways you can experience them: Bach Society of St. Louis at Powell Hall, Dec. diversity of the teaching force, both nationally Teachers from these cohorts were stronger • Kick back and relax on Nov. 16 when 17. The Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra will and in Illinois.” academically, but less racially/ethnically Taubman Prestige Outlets, one of St. Louis’s two perform and then will be joined by the University The study cites the Council for diverse than their high school classmates who new outlet malls, holds its irst annual tree-light- of Missouri St. Louis University Singers for John Accreditation of Educator Preparation did not become teachers. ing ceremony. The Muny Kids, TeamSTAGES Rutter’s energetic Gloria. (CAEP), which calls for recruiting candidates The study concluded that the transition and Ashleyliane Dance Company will entertain, • ELF The Musical at the Fox Theatre in that reflect the diversity of the nation’s from certification to employment was one and a special visitor from the North Pole will Grand Center, Dec. 17-29 (no performances Dec. students. CAEP proposes admission of the most critical stages in the new teacher drop by. 24-25). This tale of a misit Elf is sure to brighten standards for teacher preparation programs to pipeline. The researchers were surprised to • Take a leisurely drive through the 28th your day. require entering candidates have an average learn that although one in five bachelor’s Annual Winter Wonderland in Tilles County Park • Donny & Marie Christmas at the Scot- achievement in the top one-third of a national degree recipients across all disciplines became Nov. 27-Jan. 1, 2014 (closed Christmas Eve and trade Center, Dec. 18. Shades of the 1970s! Don- assessment. certified to teach, less than half of all certified New Year’s Eve) and be enchanted by the mile- nie and Marie are back with a show that blends “Some evidence suggests that efforts to teachers gained employment as a classroom long display of colorful lights, festive holiday holiday songs with a nostalgic look back on their improve the academic skills of the overall teacher. scenes and favorite characters. Or clip-clop careers. teaching force can have a negative impact For more information about the IERC, visit through the park in a carriage ride on a Saturday • Holiday Celebration, a St. Louis Sym- on teacher diversity, without a parallel www.siue.edu/ierc. night when Winter Wonderland is closed to ve- phony holiday concert at Powell Hall featuring commitment to maintaining such diversity,” hicular trafic and reserved for carriage rides only. the Symphony and the Holiday Festival Chorus, • Meander through U. S. Bank Wild Dec. 20-22. The show includes carols and other Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo, a holiday won- holiday music, and Santa will pay a visit. derland of spectacular light. Wild Lights is open • Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Scot- Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-23, & 26-30. trade Center, Dec. 23. What’s been described as • Get in a holiday mood early at Santa’s an “American progressive rock band” brings you Magical Kingdom at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park the inal performance of “The Lost Christmas where millions of sparkling lights, animated Eve.” scenes and dazzling special effects are bound to See we were not kidding. St. Louis is the place get you in a holiday mood. The display kicks off to kick back and enjoy the holidays with family Nov. 15 and runs nightly through Jan. 5, 2014. and friends. Let us be the irst to say, “Happy • Partake in the 44th Annual Way of Holidays!”