Looking for a free online education resource? A resource that sparks
interest in math and other academic fields? A resource that is fun and
educational? Be sure to check out the newest wonder from Pixar… Pixar in a Box!
Here is a little more information about this from the press release:
Free online
curriculum shows how Pixar filmmakers use science, technology, engineering, art
and math to create movie magic
Pixar in a Box - a new online resource that explores the
academic concepts behind Pixar Animation Studios’ creative process - goes live
on KhanAcademy.org. Through a series of video lessons, interactive exercises,
and hands-on activities, students will discover how the academic concepts they
learn in school enable Pixar filmmakers to create new worlds, animate unique
characters and tell stories through animation. Although designed especially for
students in middle and high school, these resources are available to learners
of all ages, completely free of charge.
“Our mission at Khan Academy is a free, world-class
education for anyone, anywhere,” said Sal Khan, Founder and CEO of the
not-for-profit Khan Academy. “Sparking student interest in math and other
academic fields is a key part of that, and we’re delighted to collaborate with
Pixar to achieve this goal. Pixar in a Box gives students a new way to engage
with key academic concepts and see how creative these concepts can be.”
"Learning makes us beginners again,” said Ed Catmull, President of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. “In my experience, creativity involves missteps and imperfections, which is one more reason it is important for every one of us to keep learning - in order to remain flexible and keep our brains nimble. By working with Khan Academy on Pixar in a Box, we hope to encourage the excitement of learning and creative thinking for middle and high school students and to provide the tools to do it.”
“For years, we’ve heard from teachers at every grade level interested in creating animation-based curricula,” said Elyse Klaidman, Director, Pixar University and Archives. “We’ve wanted to provide free online resources for them, and Pixar in a Box makes that dream a reality. We hope that it not only gives students a behind-the-scenes look at how our movies are made but also gets them excited about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) concepts.”
Khan and Catmull officially unveiled Pixar in a Box at a special event yesterday evening on the Pixar campus in Emeryville, CA. After an introduction from Klaidman, local educators learned the story behind the project and then received a live demonstration of Pixar in a Box from two of its creators - Brit Cruise, Content Producer at Khan Academy, and Tony DeRose, Senior Scientist and Research Group Lead at Pixar. The evening concluded with a question-and-answer session moderated by Klaidman.
"Learning makes us beginners again,” said Ed Catmull, President of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. “In my experience, creativity involves missteps and imperfections, which is one more reason it is important for every one of us to keep learning - in order to remain flexible and keep our brains nimble. By working with Khan Academy on Pixar in a Box, we hope to encourage the excitement of learning and creative thinking for middle and high school students and to provide the tools to do it.”
“For years, we’ve heard from teachers at every grade level interested in creating animation-based curricula,” said Elyse Klaidman, Director, Pixar University and Archives. “We’ve wanted to provide free online resources for them, and Pixar in a Box makes that dream a reality. We hope that it not only gives students a behind-the-scenes look at how our movies are made but also gets them excited about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) concepts.”
Khan and Catmull officially unveiled Pixar in a Box at a special event yesterday evening on the Pixar campus in Emeryville, CA. After an introduction from Klaidman, local educators learned the story behind the project and then received a live demonstration of Pixar in a Box from two of its creators - Brit Cruise, Content Producer at Khan Academy, and Tony DeRose, Senior Scientist and Research Group Lead at Pixar. The evening concluded with a question-and-answer session moderated by Klaidman.
Starting today, students can access Pixar in a Box and
learn:
· How combinatorics are
used to create crowds, like the swarm of robots in WALLŸE.
· How parabolas are used
to model environments, like the forest in Brave.
· How weighted averages
are used to create characters, like Buzz Lightyear and Woody.
· How linear and cubic
interpolation are used to animate characters.
· How trigonometry is
used to create the worlds in which Pixar stories take place.
· How simultaneous
equations are used to paint all of Pixar’s images.
“These lessons are the first phase of the project,” said
Cruise. “While the first year focuses on math, future Pixar in a Box lessons
will explore science, computer science, arts, and humanities.” All Pixar in a Box resources are available free of charge at
PixarInABox.org. The site will be updated as additional lessons become
available.
What do you think of
Pixar in a Box?
Disclosure: The reviews and or opinions on this blog are my own opinions . No monitory compensation was received. I was not required to write a positive review. Your experience may differ. The opinions I have expressed are my own I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising .
1 comment:
This sounds fantastic! My kiddo's would love to be a part of this, I will definitely be looking into this today! We still have a week until school starts, so this will be the perfect activity to have them do before school begins!
Post a Comment