Slowmation Science
Animate your science lessons
Example Animations from our animation Competition:
- Rouge Planet by BSE
- Grossed Out by BSE
- Magneticity by Eaglehawk Secondary
- The Appendix by Girton Grammar
What is Slowmation?
Slowmation is abbreviated from the word “Slow animation”. It is a simple way to create a stop-motion animation using digital still photographs.
Where a typical stop-motion animation is highly labour intensive and time consuming, Slowmation animation only uses 2 frames per second of manually moved models to create a slow moving image. This allows students to use and explore animation in a simplified way to tell a story or explain a concept that is easily adapted to classroom use.
The use of animation in science is an engaging and enjoyable way to learn and teach. Students conduct research into a concept and use the animation as a means of representing their learning.
Slowmation was created by Associate Professor Garry Hoban from the Faculty of Education at the University of Wollongong. His website contains great resources and example animations.
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Why bring students to Discovery to make a Slowmation animation?
Students can demonstrate and improve their understanding of a science topic while working co-operatively with classmates to produce their own animation.
Using a blank story-board provided by Discovery, students will plan the sequence and structure of their animation at school. The class (and their story-boards) then come to Discovery to make the animation.
Discovery is the ideal venue for students to develop their animation as we are able to provide all technical equipment in the form of lap tops, webcams and tripods, as well as staff assistance, modelling materials and lab space during your visit. After your visit you will receive a set of Data CDs containing the animation files (SAM animation).
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What could you do with your animation?
As well as the learning outcomes achieved in creating an animation, you may like to include the animations in your students’ digital potfolio or on your school’s website. You could also encourage your students to enter their animations in the following competitions:
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Science Talent Search, video section: This will take significantly more time than a 1 ½ hr session at Discovery, but it would be a great place to start
Details:
Cost: $5 per student
Time: 1 ½ hours at Discovery. You will need at least a week for students to prepare their storyboards and animations prior to the Discovery session.
Group size: up to 4 students per group is recommended (10 groups per class)
Equipment: Each group will be supplied with:
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Netbook with SAM Animation software
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Webcam with focus function and a microphone
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Tripod to enable students to direct the webcam in all directions including straight down
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materials such as plasticine, pipe cleaners, arrows, blocks, figures, matchsticks and fluffy balls
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magnetic whiteboards with markers and magnetic numbers and letters
Upon discussion with Discovery staff it may be possible to organise more than ten stations if required.
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Class planning and preparation:
Teachers should set a topic for the students' animations. Animations may be based on a piece of text (for example, a wikipedia article, a scientific news article or a page from a book). Students should have time to research and plan their animation prior to their trip to Discovery.
Once students have outlined their ideas, ask them to draw key scenes on the storyboards. They don't need to draw each frame (photograph), just draw key scenes. Don't forget to bring the storyboards to discovery!
Laminated versions of the storyboards are available for students to use and re-use. Feel free to pick them up from Discovery along with a set of whiteboard markers.
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Download Resources:
- Outline Planner (word document)
- Storyboard (word document) (pdf)
- Download SAM Animation
- "How to use SAM Animation" word documents (these will be avaliable from Discovery on the day)
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To book a session:
Call our friendly Bookings Officer, Kathie Knight on 5443 8255. For further Discovery education information please contact our Education Outreach Officer, Emma Carter on 5444 4400
Slowmation is proudly supported by the Collier Charitable Fund