PITTSBURGH – WQED Multimedia has a November treat for children and families, as it presents a kids-focused marathon featuring episodes of TEAMology and “Cartoon Academy with Joe Wos.” Tune in or stream on Sunday, November 5th, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. for back-to-back episodes that blend fun and learning, featuring a line-up of engaging content that promotes social-emotional learning in children.
Understanding the importance of emotional intelligence in young children is at the core of TEAMology. Each segment is led by a lively group of compassionate friends who use music and communication to help each other through childhood challenges. WQED has joined forces with TEAMology, an educational company rooted in Pennsylvania and initially supported by Invent Penn State to produce these episodes. Unique character puppets developed by TEAMology, and crafted by Pittsburgh Puppet Works with the financial support of The Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation, play a pivotal role in helping WQED create content that facilitates children’s comprehension, expression, and handling of their emotions. Learn more at wqed.org/teamology or WQED’s YouTube Channel.
“Cartoon Academy with Joe Wos” is an award-winning series that was created to support WQED Education and Pennsylvania PBS’s “Learning Neighborhood” initiative. Pittsburgh cartoonist Joe Wos takes viewers of all ages through the creative steps of drawing cartoon characters while sharing artistic terms, skill development tips, and educational facts about the characters and scenes. Beyond drawing, each episode is packed with additional educational opportunities on subjects ranging from math and science to social-emotional learning. Learn more at wqed.org/cartoonacademy or WQED’s YouTube Channel.
WQED’s collaboration with TEAMology is made possible by The Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation. Funding for the November 5th broadcast of “TEAMology: Bouncing Back and Being Happy” was provided by The Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation, with additional funding for “Cartoon Academy with Joe Wos” from the Hans and Leslie Fleischner Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation.
TEAMOLOGY AND CARTOON ACADEMY MARATHON
“TEAMology: Bounding Back and Being Happy”
Air Date: Sunday, November 5 at 12pm
TEAMology’s mission is to understand and improve emotional health to enhance every child’s ability to succeed in school, career, and life. The “TEAM” is led by a charming cast of puppets – Amelia, Harper, Lamar, Paco, Philo and Ruby. This episode explores three themes: “Coping with Stress,” “How to Ask for Help” and “Big Problems vs. Small Problems.”
“Cartoon Academy with Joe Wos”
“Outer Space”
Air Date: Sunday, November 5 at 12:30pm
Joe draws an astronaut and his robotic friend, and planets with human characteristics. Viewers will also have an alien encounter! Along the way, Joe shares educational facts about space, while explaining the importance of motion, movement and imagination.
“Dinosaurs!”
Air Date: Sunday, November 5 at 1pm
Joe takes viewers back to prehistoric times. As he draws a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, and a Pterodactyl, Joe shares educational facts about the creatures and the time period during which they lived. Students will also learn the importance of artistic terms including setting, composition and texture.
“Under the Sea”
Air Date: Sunday, November 5 at 1:30pm
Among the “toons” in this episode are an octopus, seahorse crab, blobfish, a pirate and sea monster. Joe shares educational facts about these ocean-themed characters, while showing the importance of depth, dimension, texture, and costumes in his drawings.
“Playful Pets”
Air Date: Sunday, November 5 at 2pm
In this episode, sketch along with Joe as he draws a happy dog, a fancy hamster and a wary fish. Viewers will learn artistic terms during each lesson and the use of props and character relationships.
“Down on the Farm”
Air Date: Sunday, November 5 at 2:30pm
This episode features a cow, rooster, duck, and pig. Joe also explains the importance of symmetry and conveying emotion through facial expressions.
About The Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation
WQED’s collaboration with TEAMology is made possible by The Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation. Their flagship initiative, “Know What’s Right, Do What’s Right®,” equips children with the tools to address bullying and other concerning behaviors through social and emotional learning. Recognizing the transformative work of TEAMology’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program in delivering evidence-based and highly effective bullying prevention for young children, the Foundation plays a pivotal role in introducing thousands of elementary students, teachers and families to it through WQED’s educational media expertise and school networks.
About Joe WosJoe Wos is an internationally syndicated cartoonist. He has been working professionally as a cartoonist since the age of 14 and has been teaching cartooning for more than 30 years. Mr. Wos has performed with symphony orchestras, established a world record, and performed live at over 1,000 venues worldwide, including visits as the guest cartoonist of the Charles M. Schulz Museum for 20 years. Awards and honors for Mr. Wos include four Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy® Awards for Talent, and Educational Content – Long Form and Short Form.
About WQED
WQED Multimedia starts conversations and creates experiences that educate, entertain and inspire our neighbors in Pittsburgh and across southwest Pennsylvania. Founded in 1954 as an experiment in educational community-supported television, WQED was a forerunner to PBS.
Our content creators produce impactful stories that delve into the rich mosaic of our region’s past, present, and future. We cover a wide range of topics, from arts and culture to pressing societal issues that impact our lives. We profile remarkable individuals and organizations who work to strengthen our communities. Our Learning Neighborhoods support children, in partnership with area schools and libraries, and extend to high school students exploring media careers through the WQED Film Academy. Known as “The Voice of the Arts,” WQED-FM provides a vital platform that amplifies our vibrant and diverse cultural assets, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
WQED Multimedia operates WQED-TV (PBS); WQED World; WQED Create; WQED Showcase; WQED PBS KIDS Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel; plus various streams, apps, and interactive experiences.