Mars Area Elementary School second-graders are creating stop-motion animations as part of a cross-curricular STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics) project.

 

In their art classes, the students smeared mixtures of paint on a black background to simulate the northern lights or aurora borealis. The students then added torn paper to create a jagged polar landscape and spattered the canvas with white paint to represent snow.

 

The students also made small clay polar bear models in their art classes  earlier this school year; and, using the slot method, designed felt trees in their STEAM classes. Both items, along with cotton “snow” balls are serving as the props for their stop motion animations. 

 

To complete the project, second-graders set up their backgrounds and props. The students then moved their props in tiny increments while taking a series of pictures using the iPad app, Stop Motion Studio, to create their animations.

 

The goal is to line up the shot; keep the camera still, make subtle changes between pictures, and to animate at least one action verb, says Colleen Hinrichsen, STEAM teacher. The second-graders also learned how to use the “onion skin” technique to be more precise with any changes in frames.

 

The students’ final animations are avialable online at https://maesteam.my.canva.site/2024stopmotion2nd#home. The artworks will be displayed at the school at an upcoming school event.

 

For more information, call (724) 625-3161.