When most people think about science, they don’t often associate it with cartoons. Mathematics normally does not conjure up images like Toy Story or Finding Nemo.
But what if it did?
STEM courses are, in fact, really exciting. For students, they open up a whole new universe of possibilities. All creative processes are supported by the scaffold of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. This is particularly true in the world of animation, and the Hong Kong Science Museum, in collaboration with Pixar Animation, is organizing an interesting event to demonstrate how.
The museum’s goal is to show how Pixar’s brilliant minds employ science and computer technology to bring our favorite animated films to life. The Boston Museum of Science came up with the initial concept. They collaborated with Pixar Animation Studios to show us what goes on behind the scenes of how STEM concepts can practically create a new universe.
The exhibition takes us step by step through Pixar’s technical approach, introducing the eight technical processes as well as the underlying scientific ideas that help create the films we know and love. Modeling, rigging, surfaces, settings, cameras, and, of course, animation are some of these phases.
“There is undoubtedly a lot of mathematics behind the scenes,” Pixar Animation Studios computer scientist Tony DeRose was quoted as saying. Every Pixar film we’ve seen is 100% computer-generated. Trigonometry is used by mathematicians to help the characters move across the screen. The special effects that make the animation so compelling and exciting are created using algebra. Integral calculus equations provide for the beautiful lighting we see in our favorite animated flicks.
The final product is bright and dazzling, but STEM is at the center of it all. Every day, our children are taught these concepts in the classroom. It’s fascinating and motivating to consider the unlimited possibilities that a robust scientific framework can provide for our kids. We want these classes to not only lay the groundwork for students but also to fire a passion that will allow them to tap into their unique talents and take them along a variety of career pathways.
It’s critical for students to grasp how STEM topics are applied outside of the textbook and how they operate together. The world of STEM is brimming with possibilities, and it has the ability to open up a plethora of exciting career paths for our children. Science and technology are becoming increasingly important in the job market as the world continues to evolve. Students who have mastered the fundamentals have a significant edge and are presented with a plethora of options.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM workers will earn more than twice as much as non-STEM workers in 2020. In the future years, STEM-related earning potential is predicted to expand at more than twice the rate of other occupations
We advise our kids to visit this fascinating museum while it is still open. Learning should be enjoyable and thrilling, and this museum exemplifies how it can be both.
