Pirates! Movie Made with Stop Motion Pro

If your kids are like mine, they love going to the movies and seeing the latest animated release. Well this week-end they will be in for a real treat with the latest stop motion animation feature Pirates! Band of Misfits. The film was created using Stop Motion Pro the same software we teach in our Stop Motion Animation Tech Camps.

This film is an Aardman production, the same makers of Wallace and Gromitt – which was also made with Stop Motion Pro.

Pirates! Band of Misfits is the most elaborate stop motion feature film in history. The dependable features, and superior animation visualization tools, found in Stop Motion Pro provided the animators with instant feedback as they created their animation.

These same professional quality, reliable tools are available to Classroom Antics students.

Click on the image below view a trailer of the film and a sample of what can be done with Stop Motion Animation Technology.

Simply put, LEGOLAND Florida is way cool. It’s no Cedar Point or Disneyland, but there’s a lot to see and do with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. The park hours are limited and they are closed some weekdays, but it was under a two hour drive from Tampa and my daughter, Weez, had the day off school. So, I took the day off work and we made a day of it. We stopped at Starbucks first, of course, for a mocha and a hot chocolate then hit the road.

Welcome to LEGOLAND!

“So cool!” That’s really all we could say when we walked into Miniland USA. You almost wish you were an inch tall so you could get the full effect, or maybe pretend you could be King Kong…just for a minute or two!

The cost of admission was a little high at $128 for me and my daughter even with an online purchase discount. Food prices were reasonable; what you would expect at a theme park. There is plenty of junk food, but also some decent venues for a burger and fries. It is most definitely geared towards kids and families and people really into LEGO®. I don’t recommend this for a first date unless you AND your date are REALLY into LEGO®.

Miniland at LEGOLAND

Weez, wanted to hit the rides first. Heck yeah! There are 4 roller coasters and no, they aren’t anywhere near Magnum or Mean Streak heights and speeds, but I was pretty green by the end of the day regardless. “Coastersaurus” was our favorite coaster. It’s like the Blue Streak and Gemini had a baby. Three of the 4 coasters are one train and all of the coasters are quick rides so things do move kind of fast; lines were short given that it was a Monday so I’m sure if there’s a crowd wait times are much longer than what we were experiencing. There is one coaster that’s exactly like the Wildcat at Cedar Point and I’ll never ride that one again. Ugh. It pushed the Gaviscon limit for sure. I can’t handle spinny rides or ones with constant turns; I get sick riding in the backseat of cars.

While I got my sea legs back, Weez jumped on a few of the kid rides. I do have to say, she was very disappointed all the coasters required me to ride with her. She’s 48 inches tall and DYING to ride the big kid rides by herself, but rules are, anyone between the height of 40” and 52” must ride with an adult. Oy vey…I should have brought the Tums.

The Dragon Ride at LEGOLAND

The last coaster we road was The Dragon. This coaster is based on a medieval themed area of the park called LEGO® Kingdoms. All the areas of LEGOLAND are based on their themed lines of LEGO® and everything looks like it made out of LEGO®. The Dragon is an indoor/outdoor steel roller coaster that features a hilarious, behind-the-scenes view of life within the enchanted LEGOLAND Castle. This is me taking one for the team on The Dragon… look at Weez, so happy. “Just tell me when it’s over,” I kept saying.

There is a FANTASTIC section called Imagination Zone. This area emphasizes exploring and creation, while showcasing seven of the most visually exciting LEGO® models in the world, including a replica of Albert Einstein’s head. Yes, that’s Weez picking his nose… Come on, she’s 8 and I’m her mom.

Imagination Center at LEGOLAND Einstein

Imagination Zone is perfect for school outings and given that it was a Monday and only Pasco County schools were closed for the day, this area was closed to us for school group sessions. But, it did open around 4:30pm and Weez was able to design her own LEGO® car in the Build and Test zone. She was annoyed that another kid’s car turned and stopped hers from crossing the finish line in one run, but when I explained, “Honey, his veered. Yours went straight. Yours was engineered properly,” she was proud of her little car.

Imagination Zone at LEGOLAND

There is a section in Imagination Zone that is all about robotics called LEGO MINDSTORMS; build and program cutting-edge, computerized LEGO MINDSTORMS robots. Weez and I were at “that” point in the day though. Parents, you understand “that” point, right? Hot, tired, hungry for something not fried, broke, yeah “that” point. The next robotics class was scheduled for 5:00 and would have been 45 minutes long; emphasis on long. We “decided” that would be perfect for another day and we’d do that first thing next time. The park was closing at 6:00 anyway and I wanted to get a head start of rush hour traffic back to the Tampa area and beat the crowd leaving LEGOLAND.

LEGO Friends at LEGOLAND

All in all, LEGOLAND is a great park and perfect for a family outing. You will drop a bit of cash getting in and while you’re there, but that’s part and parcel to the whole theme park family outing anymore. Definitely, explore the website before you go and plan your day to make sure the park is open and to confirm hours. Given LEGOLAND’s small size compared to DisneyLand or even Busch Gardens, it was nice to be able to see most of the park and spend time talking about the LEGO® creations. Hearing Weez say, “Mommy, look! That’s so cool! How’d they do that?” was awesome; this park sparks kids’ imaginations for sure.

There are also plenty of shops as well to purchase LEGO® and though Weez wasn’t into them when we arrived, she was TOTALLY into LEGO® FRIENDS as we left. Weez’s real name is Olivia and she loves pink and purple, so this find on the way out was a treat.

About the Author

Alicia Wozniak was born and raised in Cleveland. “Woz” now lives in Tampa, with the rest of Ohio. This nearly 40 year old can be found teaching Zumba, promoting Body by Vi, all over Facebook, figuring out Twitter, blogging, and working her full time gig in a marketing division of a textbook publisher. She wonders how many jobs she really needs. If she isn’t moving, she’s unconscious. Life, which includes a Weez, is good and she’ll keep moving forward. Follow Alicia at @littlewoz.

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London are very close, and athletes and moms across the world are preparing to depart their home countries and years of training for a lifelong dream. This video made by P&G represents the heart and soul of the Olympic Mom as she revolves her life around the care and training of her child, much like what most parents do on a daily basis.

In 5 days, this video has received over 1,000,000 views on YouTube. This promotional video was released in anticipation of this summer’s games.

The “Thank You, Mom” campaign is the largest in P&G’s 174-year history, according to a P&G press release. It brings together marketing elements in social and print media.

I dare you, just try not to cry watching this entire video.

How It Works

Inside the white intelligent NXT brick is a Bluetooth wireless chip. This chip is standard, so you don’t have to buy anything extra to get it. To wirelessly control the motors, which are connected to ports A, B, and C on the white intelligent NXT brick, you need to have a software program transmit signals via Bluetooth to the NXT brick.

To send the Bluetooth signals, Nate and Jack used the NXT Remote Control app on their Samsung Galaxy tablet that runs Android. The app is available to any device that runs Android, and it’s free from the Android Market.

The Ever-So-Simple Instructions

It’s so simple! You can use your Android phone too. Nothing extra to buy. Not much to configure.

• Download the NXT Remote Control app
• Turn on Bluetooth on the NXT brick
• Launch the Android NXT Remote Control app
• And click the Connect button in the app.

Simply amazing.

Where and When for Free Tickets

• Duke Energy Convention Center
  525 Elm Street
  Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Friday Session, March 23, 2012
  4 pm – 8:30 pm (the raffle is for this session)

Other Purchasable Time Slots

• Saturday, March 24
  Session I: 9 am – 1:30 pm
  Session II: 3 pm – 7:30 pm
• Sunday, March 25
  Session I: 9 am – 1:30 pm
  Session II: 3 pm – 7:30 pm
• (Note: Each session offers the same exhibits and activities)

More Details on the Event

The Cincinnati LEGO KidsFest will have dozens of activities covering 150,000 square feet of the Duke Energy Convention Center. LEGO KidsFest brings all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experiences together in one activity-packed family event for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interest.

Last month, we wrote about this upcoming event (LEGO KidsFest Coming to Cincinnati). This event typically does not return to your city the following year, as this is a touring event that has a different line-up of cities each and every year. Last year this event was in Cleveland, Hartford, Carolina, and a couple other cities. This year they’re in Cincinnati, Detroit, Denver, and a couple more cities.

Win Your Cincinnati LEGO KidsFest Tickets Here

Applicants for the Free Family 4-Pack of Cincinnati LEGO KidsFest tickets must have a valid Facebook account. Sign-up for a free Facebook account if you don’t have one. If you have any questions about his promotion, please contact us.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share the Love

Be sure to share the love by posting this on your Facebook wall. Give your friends their chance to win too! Click the Facebook Share (“Like”) button on this page.

The background wallpaper comes in many different colors. They originated from various pages of the LEGO KidsFest website.

Download the Entire Collection

Download the complete set of LEGO Brick Backgrounds. The individual colors are below if you want to download just one color. Use the “tile” option when putting them on your desktop. Leave us a comment and tell us your favorite color!

[Show as slideshow]

Most week-long classes will run during the morning and afternoon for 3 hours/day (15 total hours per class). Children attending full-day (both morning and afternoon camps) may stay and eat with other full-day campers and staff (just pack a lunch). Classes are available in junior video game design (ages 7-9), junior LEGO robotics (ages 7-9), video game design (ages 9-13), LEGO robotics (ages 9-13),  Scratch computer programming (ages 9-13), and stop-motion animation (ages 9-13).

Select locations will feature our popular super-camp called Summer Tech Camp (ages 9-13), which is a combination of video game design, LEGO robotics, and stop-motion animation. Summer Tech Camp is a very-flexible 35-hour full-day weeklong camp that runs from 9am-4pm each day. Kids can pick any of the three technologies they want to work on each day of camp.

Columbus Ohio 2012 Summer Camp Schedule

Register Today

Camp space is limited. Only 12 children per single-technology camp, and 24 children per multi-technology camp. Sign-up early to reserve your space and receive the biggest automatic discounts.

Most week-long classes will run during the morning and afternoon for 3 hours/day (15 total hours per class). Children attending full-day (both morning and afternoon camps) may stay and eat with other full-day campers and staff (just pack a lunch). Classes are available in junior video game design (ages 7-9), junior LEGO robotics (ages 7-9), video game design (ages 9-13), LEGO robotics (ages 9-13),  Scratch computer programming (ages 9-13), and stop-motion animation (ages 9-13).

Select locations will feature our popular super-camp called Summer Tech Camp (ages 9-13), which is a combination of video game design, LEGO robotics, and stop-motion animation. Summer Tech Camp is a very-flexible 35-hour full-day weeklong camp that runs from 9am-4pm each day. Kids can pick any of the three technologies they want to work on each day of camp.

Cleveland Ohio 2012 Summer Camp Schedule

Register Today

Camp space is limited. Only 12 children per single-technology camp, and 24 children per multi-technology camp. Sign-up early to reserve your space and receive the biggest automatic discounts.

Cedar Point has donated a family 4-pack of admission tickets, valid during Math & Science Week, May 14-18, 2012. This giveaway is to help promote the K’NEX Roller Coaster Build Competition (details below). We are very thankful for Cedar Point and their generosity in donating these tickets for this raffle.

Each +1 in the competition gives you another chance to win. There will be only 1 winner in this drawing. The raffle ends February 15, 2012 at 12:01 AM. Share this page on Facebook and encourage your friends to enter the drawing. Hopefully someone you know (or you!) will win!

Contact us with any questions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2011 Top Finishers in K'NEX Competition

Roller Coaster Build Competition

It’s called the Great Thrill Ride Build-Off. And it’s a K’NEX competition that LEGO can only dream about.

K’NEX and Cedar Point have joined together and created a competition for students in grades 6-12 to build the best roller coaster using K’NEX building materials. This is the second year of the competition. I personally saw the winners from the 2011 competition, which Cedar Point displayed for the entire 2011 summer season in their Town Hall near the Antique Cars ride in the pack of the park. And I have to admit, the “cool factor” was oozing from the top finishers in the competition.

Cedar Point and K’NEX chooses five winners to exhibit their creations at Cedar Point during Math & Science Week (May 14-18, 2012) and remain on display throught the park’s 2012 operating season. Additional prizes include K’NEX building sets, online store credit codes, and Cedar Point tickets. One of the five winners will be chosen by the public to be the “Fan Favorite” and receive a variety of additional prizes including an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Cedar Point and and invitation to visit the K’NEX headquarters in Hatfield, PA.

To be eligible, students must consider math and science applications such as potential and kinetic energy, speed, acceleration, and gravity. The project is intended to encourage students to apply their knowledge of math and science in a fun and innovative way.

How to Register for Competition

To enter, school groups must submit a 500-600 word description as well as a video and photos of the K’NEX-built ride. Entries will be evaluated on creativity, uniqueness, detail, and accuracy of the ride description.

Register your team on the K’NEX Great Thrill Ride Build-Off website before April 2, 2012. For more details, read the official Great Thrill Ride Build-Off press release.

New Dinosaurs Alive Attraction

Cedar Point also announced a new prehistoric-themed attraction for this summer 2012 called Dinosaurs Alive! on Adventure Island located on the wooded island near the lagoons in the back of the park. This $1 million project has a collection of 50 life-size animatronic dinosaurs that will roar and move. The dinosaurs are expected to be very lifelike, covered with hand-made skin-like materials. Three of the dinosaurs will have interactive consoles which will let guests move the dinosaurs arms, tail, eyes and mouth. Guests will enter Dinosaurs Alive! by crossing a bridge near Camp Snoopy. Admission will be $5 per person. To make room for the new exhibit, the Paddlewheel Excursions board cruise was retired from the park.

Campers may enroll in up-to-two camps. Choose one camp in the morning, and another in the afternoon. Or just sign-up for a morning or afternoon class for a half-day option. Camps are $199 each.

Fairlawn 2012 Camp Details

Fairlawn Kiwanis Community Center

• June 25-29, 2012
• Fairlawn Kiwanis Community Center
  3486 South Smith Rd
  Fairlawn, OH 44333

• Junior LEGO Robotics Day Camp (ages 7-9)
• Scratch Programming Day Camp (ages 9-13)
• LEGO Robotics Day Camp (ages 9-13)

• Junior Video Game Design Day Camp (ages 7-9)
• Stop-Motion Animation Day Camp (ages 8-13)
• Video Game Design Day Camp (ages 9-13)

The Fairlawn Kiwanis Community Center has defered registrations to Classroom Antics Tech Camps for these classes. Register online.

This location is very close (within 15 minutes) to residents of Fairlawn, Copley, Montrose, Bath, Pigeon Creek, Sharon Center, Wadsworth, Cuyahoga Falls, Akron, Tallmadge, Norton, Barberton, Richfield, and parts of Medina.