Students at Andrew Robinson Elementary have been putting the funds they received from the Chartrand Foundation's
Inspire.Create.Achieve. (I.C.A.) Grant to good use: they have been creating claymation projects.
Claymation is a term used to define clay animation: the process of taking pictures of clay figures and then replaying those pictures quickly to create the illusion of movement.
Andrew Robinson Elementary applied for the grant with hopes of implementing more technology programs at the school. Since receiving the $12,000 grant, the school has been able to purchase computer software, art materials, digital cameras and stop motion movies.
"Our ultimate goal with the grant is to enable Andrew Robinson students to add another dimension to their scope of experiences," says Anthony Sznakowski, the art specialist at Andrew Robinson who oversees the claymation projects. "We love the opportunity to expose our students to the art of applied digital media technology and video production. We believe that the more exposure our students have to the world of technology from an early age, the better equipped they will be for life."
The students who participate in claymation are members of the Andrew Robinson Claymation Team, which is comprised of about 10 students who have good grades and were recommended by their teachers. The team typically meets after school one to two days per week, and they have been working on their claymation projects since October.
Sznakowski says his students love the claymation projects. "They are lined up at the door to the art lab after school ready to get started. As soon as I open the door, the kids jump right into their projects."
So far, the Claymation Team has created two films: "Food Fight" and "The Life Cycle of a Butterfly." Before creating a film, students had to first write a synopsis and storyboard outlining what they were going to do. Then, they had to sculpt the clay figures, create the background set by hand and determine which sound effects would be needed. Once all the materials were ready, the students arranged the characters on the set and began taking pictures. Sznakowski said more than 300 pictures were needed to create the .48-second "The Life Cycle of a Butterfly" film.
"We have seen some of the most incredible work from Duval County teachers and students participating in our I.C.A. Grants program," said Jeff Chartrand, executive director, The Chartrand Foundation. "From claymation movies created by elementary students at Andrew Robinson to theatrical productions that match the school's book-of-the month selection at Carter G. Woodson, creativity is alive and well in our public school system."
Sznakowski, along with Ms. Walsh, Robinson Elementary's reading resource teacher, plan to continue working with and expanding the Claymation Team. New students will be joining next term, and they will be taught claymation by the older students. "With the success the program is having this year, I can only imagine what movies we will make next year," Sznakowski said.
The Andrew Robinson Claymation Team's films were uploaded to YouTube and can be viewed by clicking on the title of the film:
"The Life Cycle of a Butterfly" and
"Food Fight."
The I.C.A. Grants awarded by The Chartrand Foundation afford educators with additional resources designed to make class work and curriculum in the areas of art, civics, and science relevant to real-life experiences. Founded in September 2006, The Chartrand Foundation is a Jacksonville-based family foundation that has contributed or committed more than $2 million to efforts that support quality public education and community reform.
