“Superheroes are best imagined in comic books. The union between the written word, the image, and then what your imagination has to do to connect those allows for so much.” – Ta-Nehisi Coates
Comics, often read under the covers with a flashlight in secret so not discovered by others, are noted as inspiration to many. Graphic novels and comics offer a pathway to a lifelong love of reading to children who need that extra hook. Comics are a multi-billion dollar industry and have become the source material for many successful movies. People from all different backgrounds come together to celebrate their favorite stories and characters at cons. In this episode of STEM in 30, hosts Marty and Beth become comics to explore the popularity of all things comics.
Anchor Standard: 1. Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
MA:Cr1.1.6.a - Formulate variations of goals and solutions for media artworks by practicing chosen creative processes, such as sketching, improvising and brainstorming.
Anchor Standard: 2. Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Cr2.1.PK.7.a - Design, propose, and evaluate artistic ideas, plans, prototypes, and production processes for media arts productions, considering expressive intent and resources.
Anchor Standard: 3. Refine and complete artistic work.
MA:Cr3.1.7.a - Coordinate production processes to integrate content and components for determined purpose and meaning in media arts productions, demonstrating understanding of associated principles, such as narrative structures and composition.
Anchor Standard: 4. Analyze, interpret, and select artistic work for presentation.
MA:Pr4.1.6.a - Validate how integrating multiple contents and forms can support a central idea in a media artwork, such as media, narratives, and performance.
Anchor Standard: 7. Perceive and analyze artistic work.
MA:Re7.1.6.a - Identify, describe, and analyze how message and meaning are created by components in media artworks.
MA:Re7.1.6.b - Identify, describe, and analyze how various forms, methods, and styles in media artworks manage audience experience.
Anchor Standard: 10. Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
MA:Cn10.1.6.b - Explain and show how media artworks form new meanings, situations, and cultural experiences, such as historical events.
Anchor Standard: 11. Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.
MA:Cn11.1.6.a - Research and show how media artworks and ideas relate to personal life, and social, community, and cultural situations, such as personal identity, history, and entertainment.
STEM in 30 is an Emmy-nominated program for middle school students produced by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. These 30 minute episodes are great for classroom use. New episodes are released every month, featuring hands-on activities, explanations of aviation and space topics aligned with national standards, and interviews with experts from the Museum and beyond.
STEM in 30 is made possible by Boeing and Hexcel.