STEM, Professional Development

Creating a Stop Motion Movie with 3D Printed Parts

Curious about how to bring your classroom projects to life with stop-motion animation? Join Hannah Daniels, MimioSTEM Product Manager, for a fun 20-minute learning lab!
Learn how to use 3D printed components to boost your stop-motion animations. Plus, get practical ideas for integrating this hands-on filmmaking technique into various subjects, making learning interactive and enjoyable for your students!
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Discovering the Magic of Stop-Motion Animation
Have you ever watched a stop-motion animation and wondered how it’s made? Stop-motion animation has a fascinating history that dates back to the late 1800s. The earliest examples can be found in the works of pioneers like Georges Méliès, who used stop-motion to create magical illusions in his films. Fast forward to today and stop-motion is everywhere—from beloved animated films like Coraline to viral YouTube videos. It’s not just entertainment; stop-motion animation has become a valuable tool in education, bringing lessons to life in a fun and engaging way!
Stop-Motion: A Versatile Educational Tool
Stop-motion animation can be integrated into various subjects, offering unique interdisciplinary learning opportunities. At its core, stop-motion works by capturing individual frames of still images that are played back in sequence to create the illusion of movement. This engaging technique allows students to bring ideas to life but requires time and patience, as each frame must be meticulously crafted.
In science, students can animate DNA transcription and translation, while in history, they can recreate significant events or portray important figures. Art classes can also benefit, with students using animation to explore different techniques and tell their stories visually.
3D printed components elevate projects by allowing students to add custom-designed characters or props, enhancing creativity and comprehension. This hands-on approach instills valuable skills like project management and collaboration, making stop-motion a powerful tool for enriching the educational experience. 
Creative Classroom Learning Through 3D Design 
Incorporating 3D design into the classroom not only enhances student engagement but also nurtures creativity and problem-solving skills. For younger learners, using Tinkercad to design simple props and characters for stop-motion animations introduces them to the basics of design thinking. This hands-on experience helps them visualize their ideas, fostering a deeper understanding of the creation process and sparking excitement about learning.
Older students can take this further by designing more intricate components, such as articulated figures or detailed backgrounds, for their stop-motion projects. By working through the design and 3D printing process, they not only bring their creations to life but also develop essential skills in engineering, critical thinking, and collaboration. This immersive approach to learning helps students grasp complex concepts while encouraging creativity and innovation, making lessons more interactive and impactful. 
Bring Stop Motion to Life with the Robo E4   
The Robo E4 3D printer is an excellent tool for projects like stop-motion animation, making STEM education engaging and accessible for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Built for safety and user-friendliness, it offers features such as fast printing speeds and automated calibration, providing a smooth experience for everyone.
Each Robo E4 comes with access to MyStemKits, a K-12 curriculum aligned with NGSS standards, offering a rich library of ready-to-print models, lesson plans, and STEAM challenges. This integration enables teachers to seamlessly incorporate 3D printing into their classrooms. By encouraging students to design and produce their own components for stop-motion animations, the Robo E4 fosters creativity and real-world problem-solving, helping build confidence and ensuring that every student, regardless of their technical background, thrives in a hands-on learning environment. 
Ignite Student Passion for STEAM Careers   
Exploring stop-motion animation and 3D printing sparks students' interest in STEAM careers while creating valuable learning experiences. Engaging with these technologies allows students to discover passions for animation, industrial design, or robotics. For example, a student who loves storytelling may pursue animation or digital media, while another interested in engineering might explore product design.
Hands-on projects foster active learning and develop essential 21st-century skills like creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. By integrating innovative techniques like stop-motion animation, educators inspire the next generation of creators and problem solvers, preparing them for exciting futures in STEAM fields. 
Join Us for the Webinar 
Are you ready to embark on a creative quest? Join our STEM Wednesday session, "Creating a Stop Motion Movie with 3D Printed Parts!" Discover how to craft captivating animations using 3D printed models in this exciting hands-on experience for educators and students.
Register now for this FREE adventure and ignite a love for storytelling in your classroom!
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