While in LA for the Finding Dory Event we had the opportunity to check out Pixar in a Box. Sponsored by Disney, Pixar in a Box is a collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios and Khan Academy that give students an opportunity to see how math and science get put into practical use.
I first heard about Khan Academy a few years back when my girls were in middle school. The school they attended had students use the math lessons for extra help. Other than that, I didn’t know much about this FREE online school; that helps teachers and students with lessons in all subjects.
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. Our math missions guide learners from kindergarten to calculus using state-of-the-art, adaptive technology that identifies strengths and learning gaps. We’ve also partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, The California Academy of Sciences, and MIT to offer specialized content.
Pixar in a Box
So what happens when Pixar and Khan Academy join brilliants forces? You have Pixar in a Box. The seed was planted when Pixar hosted a 10,000 square foot hands-on exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston. It was here that visitors were able to learn that there is a lot of math and science that goes into a Pixar film. That was the beginning of Pixar in a Box. It’s best described in this video.
With step by step instructions via videos, as well as online lessons, Pixar in a Box impresses me. I feel that every kid should sign in and play. See what they like to do, and learn about the subject. It really makes honing in on your likes for future career choices much easier. Here’s a video with some of the Pixar effects team sharing how they make the water with particles like in Finding Dory.
Each lesson is hosted by one or two Pixar team members in several 2-minute videos. Then there are lessons to put what you’ve learned in action. The key is, students will see how to get creative by using both math and science.
Water simulation – See what kind of looks you can create using this particle simulator
Playing around with the program is not only fun but educational. It’s a win-win for all. I love that after playing around and then seeing Finding Dory again, I actually thought about the work that went into the film by the things I have learned by playing with Pixar in a Box. With it being a multi-year project they are always working on the next set of lessons with hopes of publishing brand new content every few months.
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