Exploring Animation in Y2 Computing: A Journey Through Space!

In today’s Y2 Computing lesson, Y2 took a fantastic journey back into the world of Animation! We revisited a key concept from prior learning: "What is animation?" — and how we can create objects that move on screen. With the help of Purple Mash's '2Animate' program, the children explored this concept through a real-world stimulus: the exciting story of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ dramatic return to Earth after nine months in space!

The aim of today's lesson was to:

1. Revisit and Reinforce Animation Skills: By using the '2Animate' tool, pupils practiced their animation skills, revisiting how to create moving objects on screen.

2. Engage with Real-World Events: We wanted to connect the concept of animation to something exciting and current, so we used the astronauts' space journey as a stimulus. Y2 learnt about the challenges Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams faced as they returned from their extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

3. Encourage Creativity and Problem Solving: Through animating the story of the astronauts' return, Y2 were encouraged to think creatively about how to represent the different stages of the astronauts’ journey – from re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to their splashdown in Florida.

   
   

A Blast Off Into Learning!

As pupils created their animations, they demonstrated their growing confidence with animation tools, producing moving images that reflected the story’s exciting details. Some students created re-entry effects, others made parachutes deploy, and a few even added splashdown scenes with animated water! The results were truly imaginative and displayed the children's developing understanding of animation principles.

Here are a couple of examples -

Harry's Work -

Arlo's Work -

Grace's Work -

Pupils worked collaboratively, helping each other with techniques in Purple Mash, sharing tips about how to make their animations smoother and more exciting. It was great to see them working together to bring the astronauts’ story to life.

Reflection:

By the end of the lesson, our Y2 pupils had not only refreshed their understanding of animation but also learnt how to connect that knowledge with real-world events. They practiced problem-solving and creative thinking while having fun with technology.

It was a successful lesson, where Y2 got to experience how animation can tell a story and make a complex process, like the return of astronauts to Earth, engaging and accessible.

We look forward to exploring more animation techniques in future lessons as our young Computer Scientists continue their digital journey!