About this resource
Definition of Stop motion: A technique used for creating animation that makes the object appear to move on its own. The creator puts the object in several positions while taking individual photos of each position. For example, if the creator was wanting a robot to move across a room in the movie, the creator would position the robot in walking positions and take pictures as each position changes. When all these pictures come together quickly, it appears that the robot is walking.
Display copies of Isaac Asimov's iRobot and various Science Fiction books and informational texts for students to check out. Set up a display of these books with robot props. Students do not need to have read any robot stories or books for this project. Make a poster (or post on a screen) Asimov's three laws of Robotics: 1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. Students will be given notecards or "create a stopmotion movie" sheets to complete to assist in the planning. Students can work in teams, pairs, or individually. Students will use Stikbots to create a Stopmotion animation. Librarians should download the animation app to iPads or laptops before showing students the videos on Stikbots.com. There are several Stikbot Dr. Z tutorial videos that students can watch. Librarians are encouraged to save these movies to their website or create QR codes to post around the library so students can replay the movies.
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Science, Technology, Language Arts
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
Kansas College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Literacy Learning Standard 1: Engage in literacy learning through a collaborative and community effort and in an integrated fashion, rather than as discreet skills in isolation.
What students will do
By creating a stop-action movie using Stikbots, students will have the opportunity to have hands-on design experience. They will have the opportunity to revise and redo their projects, an essential component for all innovators.
Resources Needed
Stikbots (available in several stores and online), Stikbot app, computers/laptops/ipads, journal cards/planning sheets and pencils, backgrounds for Stop motion (green paper or a variety of options – white paper so students can design their own)
Copies of Isaac Asimov's I,Robot and various fiction and nonfiction robot books for students to check out. Poster board or screen to display Asimov's three laws of Robotics: 1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Lesson sequence & procedures
Stopmotion steps for notecards/ "create a stopmotion" movie:
- Watch tutorials at Stikbot.com
- Decide on the theme of your movie: space, adventure, fantasy, etc…
- Decide what the plot of your movie is: write down four to six main events (you will stage your robots involved in these events). Select two or three characters (robots).
- Backdrop: green sheet of paper (green screen) or any color will work
- Sketch and write out details for your movie.
- Practice before creating your movie. Make changes and revise as you practice.
Helpful tutorials (but there are many more):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLpAbLU4_RXTVL2YPt4x0YP_KdvCC_7KQ8&v=Be23d7TAR3g
Additional ideas for book displays:
Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects (Build it Yourself) by Kathy Ceceri
Cool Robots by Sean Kenney
Sylvia's Super-Awesome Project Book: Super-Simple Arduino (Volume 2) by Sylvia Todd
Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman
The Robot King by Brian Selznick
Clink by Kelly DiPucchio
Oh No!: Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World by Mac Barnett
Robosauce by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
Wild Robot by Peter Brown