Special thanks to the Museum of Science in Boston, and especially to Magdalena Rabidou, the Coordinator of their Educator Resource Center, for these resources.
STEAM and Pixar
The inspiration for this PBL21 unit came from an exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston - The Science of Pixar. Here we will be creating a framework for a PBL21 unit based on this exhibit.
As you know, PBL21 is the next step in the evolution of project-based learning. Basically, the differences are that we do not begin with the standards - we begin with creativity and exploration. Remember, blinders are for horses, not explorers!
The other major difference is that our curriculum design is guided by our 3 Compasses to 21st Century Education:
A quality curriculum cannot be found in your district's Curriculum Pacing Guides, or in other pre-packaged, or "canned' curriculum. A quality curriculum is built for your students, by you and your colleagues, with the support of outside experts and resources (from the community, local to global), and is always (our 3 R's) Rigorous, Relevant and Real World, whether it is for PK or PhD. students. Pre-packaged curricula, including pacing guides, are actually the antithesis of the purported goals of districts to provide curriculum that is personalized or differentiated. All you need from your district is a list of the content standards and skills your students are supposed to learn in your class, or your course, this year. Then you need the support and flexibility to create something fantastic that will exceed the standards and motivate your students.
So where do you begin?
In order to create a PBL21 unit we begin with a theme - it may be a problem, a story, an event, an issue, or even a single object, such as a brick or a shoe! We began our exploration based upon our discovery of the MoS exhibit - The Science of Pixar! Especially for those of us who may not be able to actually go to the exhibit, we begin by learning all we can about the exhibit and the resources already available.
Next, we brainstorm all the possibilities for this unit, from connections to every discipline to activities, project ideas and other resources. First we explore the resources below - a virtual tour of the exhibit, the lessons and videos created for the exhibit by Kahn Academy and the educator guides on the MoS web site.
As you know, PBL21 is the next step in the evolution of project-based learning. Basically, the differences are that we do not begin with the standards - we begin with creativity and exploration. Remember, blinders are for horses, not explorers!
The other major difference is that our curriculum design is guided by our 3 Compasses to 21st Century Education:
- Critical Attributes of 21st Century Education
- Multiple Literacies for the 21st Century, and
- The 7 Survival Skills for the 21st Century
A quality curriculum cannot be found in your district's Curriculum Pacing Guides, or in other pre-packaged, or "canned' curriculum. A quality curriculum is built for your students, by you and your colleagues, with the support of outside experts and resources (from the community, local to global), and is always (our 3 R's) Rigorous, Relevant and Real World, whether it is for PK or PhD. students. Pre-packaged curricula, including pacing guides, are actually the antithesis of the purported goals of districts to provide curriculum that is personalized or differentiated. All you need from your district is a list of the content standards and skills your students are supposed to learn in your class, or your course, this year. Then you need the support and flexibility to create something fantastic that will exceed the standards and motivate your students.
So where do you begin?
In order to create a PBL21 unit we begin with a theme - it may be a problem, a story, an event, an issue, or even a single object, such as a brick or a shoe! We began our exploration based upon our discovery of the MoS exhibit - The Science of Pixar! Especially for those of us who may not be able to actually go to the exhibit, we begin by learning all we can about the exhibit and the resources already available.
Next, we brainstorm all the possibilities for this unit, from connections to every discipline to activities, project ideas and other resources. First we explore the resources below - a virtual tour of the exhibit, the lessons and videos created for the exhibit by Kahn Academy and the educator guides on the MoS web site.
As you read this page, stop when you see the Pause Button, and do the curricular design activity!
Introduction to "The Science Behind Pixar"
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The video to the left is the full virtual tour of the exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston. This video and links to other excellent resources were sent to me by Magdalena Rabidou, Coordinator of the Education Resource Center at the museum.
Download the Educator Overview where you learn learn about the eight distinct sections of the exhibit. Then download the Educator's Guide containing details on Learning Goals, Activities, Content Standards and more. Both may be downloaded here. Pixar in a Box, created by Kahn Academy in collaboration with Pixar, has excellent videos and lesson plans for all age levels. Our unit, The STEAM of Pixar, will go beyond the science and math to many other disciplines and skills. |
Pause to Think!
Time to Concept Map your PBL21 Plan! |
Once you have reviewed the videos, educator's guides and lesson plans linked above as an introduction, you can now begin to concept map and/or brainstorm ideas you have begun to generate for your unit, The STEAM of Pixar.
Use a wall of whiteboard or get a huge sheet of bulletin board paper and some broad tip markers. Write the name of your unit in the center and circle it. Then start webbing out as you consider:
* the connections to each discipline (you can add your own district, state or national standards, or the CCSS later).
* possible activities that come to mind
* resources (on your campus, in your community, or online)
* begin building a database of literature and media that come to mind
* connecting multiple literacies and
* 21st century skills
Soon you will have enough excellent ideas to last you for - actually - years! Don't stop. Keep looking and exploring. . . .
Now take a look at your content standards - how many (and which ones) are already included in your concept mapping? Do you see other standards that could easily be taught within this project? If they are a good/natural fit, add them! Do not try to teach every standard in this single PBL21 project; teach what fits (and a lot is going to fit!) then worry about the other standards when you plan other units.
Looking at the concept map you've created you will probably notice that your thinking about what to do with this unit is quite a bit different than what you are thinking now that you've brainstormed possibilities. That's OK! As we said above, you've brainstormed enough to last for years - now it is time to refocus. Think about the ultimate goal - what you want this project to accomplish, the refined direction you want it to take, and narrow it all down. From there you will write your final unit outcomes. For each outcome decide what the assessment will be. What is it that the students can do and create that will demonstrate they have achieved the outcome? From there you "design down" and create your entire unit plan.
You will then spend the next few days or weeks exploring resources for your project. It's possible that this will result in more fine tuning of your project. Make it great!
K-12 Resources for Creating Animated Movies
Lists of animation tools and apps:
Specific apps and tools:
Articles and resources on using animation in the curriculum:
- TeachThought has a page featuring 50 free animation tools and resources for digital learners.
- Common Sense Media - a #1, excellent resource - features 16 web sites and apps for making videos and animations.
Specific apps and tools:
Articles and resources on using animation in the curriculum:
