{"id":28624,"date":"2016-03-25T12:54:59","date_gmt":"2016-03-25T17:54:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.ams.org\/mathgradblog\/?p=28624"},"modified":"2016-03-25T14:08:24","modified_gmt":"2016-03-25T19:08:24","slug":"pixar-box-answer-whats-good-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ams.org\/mathgradblog\/2016\/03\/25\/pixar-box-answer-whats-good-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Pixar in a Box: My New Answer to “What’s this good for?”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Questions like \u201cWhy do we need to know this?\u201d or \u201cWhen am I ever going to use this in real life?\u201d seem to show up every time I put the definition of the derivative on the board in a calculus class or work through the different ways to express a line with some algebra students. We\u2019ve all probably even asked these questions ourselves at various points in our mathematical careers. Every time I try to answer these questions, I give a few quick examples, but I never feel like I\u2019ve really convinced anyone how cool it is.<\/p>\n

These conversations are always short, and I have to remind myself that I didn\u2019t fall in love with math because someone told me that I could use it to build bridges or maximize profit. I love math, because I\u2019ve spent time seeing what math can do and doing it myself.<\/p>\n

\"Using<\/a>

Using combinatorics to build robots on Khan Academy! Photo by Sarah Salmon.<\/p><\/div>\n

Now, I finally have a better answer. Last August, Khan Academy and Pixar teamed up to release Pixar in a Box!<\/p>\n

Pixar in a Box is a compilation of math lessons all about the different parts of animation that go into making a Pixar film. Talk about seeing math in action! Each section lists an appropriate grade level so you can see what level of math is required to understand the material, and\u00a0there are sections for everyone from \u201call ages\u201d through high school. As a grad student, even I\u2019m having fun! You can use code to create a character, learn the math behind animating curves, or use combinatorics to create a crowd of robots! This is an awesome way for students to see math being used to create something rad, and they get to try it on their own.\u00a0NOTE: All Khan Academy content is available for free at\u00a0www.khanacademy.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some food for thought: I like math because I find it intrinsically interesting, not because it\u2019s used in a wide variety of professions. Will Pixar in a Box help foster an interest in mathematics for the sake of mathematics? I don\u2019t know the answer, but I would argue that more positive exposure to the subject can\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n

Next time I\u2019m asked \u201cwho uses math in real life?\u201d I\u2019m going to direct them straight to Pixar in a Box to experience firsthand how math is used in animation. Maybe this doesn’t answer the question, “When will I ever need the definition of a derivative?” but I think that by seeing how animators use elementary, middle, and high school level math, students may start to be convinced that all sorts of professions benefit from mathematics.<\/p>\n

Do you have other resources for students to experience mathematics? I\u2019d love to know what they are, so leave a comment below!<\/p>\n

<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Questions like \u201cWhy do we need to know this?\u201d or \u201cWhen am I ever going to use this in real life?\u201d seem to show up every time I put the definition of the derivative on the board in a calculus … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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