Movie Mitosis
and Slowmation
Movie Mitosis is a new way of engaging students in learing
about complex biological processes.
Curriculum/State Standards
South Carolina State Standards
B-2.6 Summarize the characteristics
of the cell cycle: interphase (called
G1, S, G2); the phases of mitosis
(called prophase, metaphase, anaphase,
and telophase); and plant and animal
cytokinesis.
B-2.7 Summarize how cell regulation controls and coordinates cell
growth and division and allows cells to
respond to the environment, and recognize the consequences of uncontrolled
cell division.
Overview
By creating a stop action animation,
students are able to generate a working model of a complex biological
process, mitosis. Creating an animated
model rather than a static model shows
students that the process of mitosis is
a dynamic one and that separation of
the process into stages is only for our
understanding and not a true occurrence in the process. In other words,
the process of cell division does not
stop at each particle stage but is an
ongoing dynamic process. Modeling
it in this way, adding a narration to
the movie, and then presenting it to
others for evaluation engages students
in authentic and constructive learning
experience.
Students use animation software
to generate a stop action animated
film. Stop action animation is done by
taking still pictures of models that can
be moved slightly and then rephotographed. After many photographs,
each with a slight change, a motion
picture can be generated by playing the
pictures back more quickly.
Project Objectives
9-12
GRADE LEVEL
• The student will generate a dynamic
process model using animation software.
• The student will write a narrative
summary of the process of mitosis.
• The students will share their movie
model with a global audience.
• The students will evaluate other
students’ models.
Materials
computers with microphones and webcams (1 per group of students)
arts and crafts supplies
animated movie making software
(www.samanimation.com)
optional: presentation editing software
(http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.
asp)
Strategies/Activities
1. Students are introduced to the SAM
animation software and be given an
opportunity to create short stop action animations on any simple topics
(how to make a sandwich, how to
pot a plant, etc.).
2. Students draw a storyboard of the
process of mitosis in order to plan
for how to move the models as they
photograph them.
3. Once the story board is complete,
students obtain materials with which
they will make their models (arts
and craft supplies, modeling clay,
etc.).
4. Students should begin with small
movements with the models and
photograph the changes in position.
5. Once all of the photographs are
taken, students can record a narration, add music, and produce a video
file all through SAM animation.
Continued on the back...
5-8
PERIODS
$450
TOTAL BUDGET
THIS WINNING PROJECT IDEA WAS SUBMITTED BY:
Christopher A. Bogiages
Scholars Academy c/o Coastal Carolina University
BAXL 214, 642 Century Circle, Conway, SC 29526
“Movie Mitosis and Slowmation”
project continued...
Culminating Activity
The final step is to have students post
their videos to the SAM website, Youtube, or any other web video service.
Evaluation Method
Students should review each other’s
videos and provide feedback and constructive criticism.