‘Newton’s Apple’ puts science in touch with 1992 Olympic hopefuls

Those who think that science is difficult and boring might be interested to know that it plays a significant role in the lives of athletes. Scientists have helped improve swimmers’ technique, shown weightlifters the most efficient way to pump iron and helped runners get the most out of their breathing--all of which will come in handy for participants in the 1992 Olympics.

A visit to the Olympics Training Center in Colorado kicks off the ninth season of Newton’s Apple, PBS’ award-winning science series. Both fun and entertaining, the show is designed to get kids and their parents psyched up about science by proving that there’s more to it than textbooks and formulas.

“Newton’s Apple,” Sundays 8:30-9 a.m. and Sunday 7:05-7:30 p.m. KCET. For ages 7 and up.

MORE KIDS’ SHOWS

“The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship” (today 9-9:30 a.m. KCET), a classic Russian folktale of three brothers who compete for the hand of the princess, is the first entry for this season’s PBS children’s drama series Long Ago & Far Away. For 6- to 9-year-olds and their parents.

Dean Jones, Michele Lee and a Volkswagen Beetle star in The Love Bug (today 10 a.m.-noon KTLA), the 1969 comedy about a car with a mind of its own. For all ages.

Three series for kids enter the Disney Channel’s daytime lineup beginning this week: Jump, Rattle and Roll (weekdays 6:30-7 a.m. and 4:30-5 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30-9 a.m.), Gummi Bears (weekdays 8-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.) and New Kids on the Block (Saturdays 9-9:30 a.m.). For 2- to 6-year-olds.

Before Lassie lived with Timmy, she was Jeff’s Collie (weekdays 2:30-3 p.m. Nickelodeon), as illustrated by these episodes of the very first “Lassie” series, in which the clever canine lives with 11-year-old Jeff on a Midwestern farm. For all ages.

A trio of chilling animated tales, Charles Dickens’ Ghost Stories (Monday 4-5 p.m. and Tuesday 5-6 a.m. Showtime), sets the tone for the scariest of all months. For all ages.

Lauren Bacall and Bryan Adams supply the voices for HBO Storybook Musicals: The Ice Queen’s Mittens (Monday 3:30-4 p.m. HBO), which is based on the nursery rhyme “The Three Little Kittens.” For all ages.

An adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Little Pig Robinson (Tuesday 7-8 p.m. Showtime) concerns a swine who tries to escape the evil clutches of a hungry ship’s captain. For all ages.

An episode of C. Everett Koop, M.D., “Listening to Teen-Agers” (Tuesday 11 p.m.- midnight KCET), reports on the skyrocketing incidence of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among teens. Another episode, “Children at Risk” (Wednesday 11 p.m.-midnight KCET) shows how children are often victims of our health-care system. For ages 12 and up.

My Friend Flicka (Friday 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Family Channel) is the 1943 film about a boy and his headstrong filly. For all ages.

Backstage at the Zoo (Saturdays 10:30-11 a.m. Family Channel) is a new series that shows efforts to preserve endangered animal species. For all ages.

Mighty Pawns (Saturday 6-7 p.m. Disney Channel) is the true story of a group of inner-city youths who overcome the odds and become a champion chess team--with the help of an inspirational teacher. For ages 7 and up.