The

Stop-Motion Project

You are to create a stop-motion movie that explains a Chemistry concept. A list of suggested topics is
below but you can ask to have a different topic approved. The stop-motion movies will be put on
Schoology so other students can use them to review for the final exam. It is best to edit the stop-motion
file in iMovie.

1. Download a Stop Motion app on your iPad. I used Stop Motion Studio.
2. Film your movie. I found taking the same picture 2 3 times slows down the movie so it doesnt
go too fast. You can use construction paper or small objects to animate the concept.
3. Edit your stop motion in iMovie.
a. Add an introductory title that is no more than 5 seconds.
b. Add fade-in and fade-out where appropriate.
c. Add titles (or captions) during the movie that explain what is going on.
d. Add some music that comes with the app or has a creative common license (no copyright
music)
e. Add a narration.
f. Make sure to save it as a .mov or .mp4 file
4. Upload the movie to Schoology.

Rubric

Criteria 0 1 2 3
Length of time Less than 30 30 45 seconds 45 60 seconds More than 60
seconds seconds
Accuracy of There are more than There are 2 minor There is 1 minor The concept is fully
Content 2 minor errors, or 1 errors and it is error and it is and thoroughly
major error, or it is thoroughly thoroughly explained. Its
not thoroughly explained. explained. 100% accurate.
explained.
Animation The animation is The animation is The animation is The animation is
choppy. The somewhat choppy. fairly smooth. The pretty smooth.
animated objects The animated animated objects The animated
are poorly objects are poorly are well objects are well
constructed or do constructed or do constructed and constructed and
not clearly illustrate not clearly clearly illustrate clearly illustrate
the concept. illustrate the the concept. the concept.
concept.
Narration There is no The narration is The narration is The narration is
narration. complete. smooth and smooth, complete
complete. and confident.
Pacing The video is so The video is Theres enough Theres enough
rushed that it must rushed and theres time to do one of time to read titles
be watched several not enough time the following but and absorb what
times to get the to read titles & not the other: read the animation is
information. absorb titles & absorb the showing.
information. information
Movie Quality One or fewer exist: Two of the four Three of the four An introductory
Introductory Title exist: exist: title, fade-ins, fade-
Fade-in/out Introductory Title Introductory Title outs, and music are
Music Fade-in/out Fade-in/out present,
Voice over Music Music appropriate, and
Voice over Voice over not copy-righted.

Criteria 0 1 2 3
Captions/Titles No titles with One title with Two titles with Three or more
explanations are explanation is explanation are titles are used
used used during the used during the during the movie to
movie to explain it movie to explain it. explain the movie.
Teaching Value The file will be The explanation The explanation is The explanation is
deleted because its cannot be used well done and so well done, I
worthless as a due to being students can use it wont have to teach
teaching tool. incomplete or to review the it to students.
inaccurate. concept.
Entertainment The movie is boring. My parents might The movie is The movie is
A real snoozer. like it but I wont interesting. engaging. Id watch
recommend it to it again.
my friends.

TOPICS

The following concepts are suggestions for a stop-motion movie. Please get approval for other concepts.
If your concept includes a math component, do not teach only the math also teach the concept. For
example, do not just teach that D=M/V but also teach that more mass in the same volume is a greater
density or the same mass in a greater volume is less dense. These movies will be put on Schoology and
used next semester to teach my Chemistry students.

** Concepts that are starred can earn an additional 3 bonus points if they are done well.**

1. The relationship between kilometer, meters, centimeters and millimeters. Teach the equalities
so students understand 1 km = 1000 m; 1 m = 100 cm; 1 m = 1000 mm. Show how to convert
between the units using dimensional analysis.
2. Density
3. Accuracy & Precision.
4. ** Classification of elements, compounds & mixtures (homogeneous &heterogeneous). You must
show this on the atomic level.
5. ** Heating curves (how adding heat affects kinetic energy in a single phase and affects
intermolecular attractions during a phase change.) Show the arrangement of particles in each
phase and during a phase change.
6. ** Phase diagrams the relationship between pressure, heat and the state of matter. The main
focus is not on the Butt Diagram but on how the state of matter changes when you add/remove
pressure or add/remove heat. Relate the changes back to the butt diagram. Show this on the
atomic level.
7. ** Five types of chemical reactions (show the rearrangement of the atoms in the reactants to
form the products. It would look like Legos falling apart and rearranging to form a new Lego
structure.) Always begin with a balanced equation. Make sure the atoms are clearly labeled
with their element symbol. (You may work with a partner on this one.)
8. The writing of ionic formulas based on the pairing of ions until the net charge is zero. Use Al3+
and O2-, Ca2+ and Cl1-, Ba2+ and S2-, Pb4+ and SO42-.
9. The radioactive decay of U-233 to Th-229. Show how the particle is ejected from the nucleus
and the element changes. Show unstable nucleons by having them shake
10. The radioactive decay of Ac-228 to Th-228. Show how a neutron changes to a proton + electron
and the electron is ejected. Show unstable neutrons by having them shake






Not available during 1st semester
11. The Bohr Model of the Atom Show how electrons can absorb photons of different energies and
jump to different energy levels. Include a photon that wont be absorbed because it doesnt have
the correct amount of energy.
12. ** Formation of cations & anions by the addition/removal of valence electrons. Show how a
neutral atom becomes a charged ion. Show how the radius changes when the electrons are
added/removed. Remember: electrons are always in motion and the protons and neutrons also
have kinetic energy.
13. ** Stoichiometery
14. ** Limiting Reactants
15. Types of Bonds
16. Polar molecules
17. Intermolecular forces
18. The Gas Laws
19. VSEPR
20. ** How nuclear charge and shielding affect periodic trends.