Kickstarter

The goal of this project is to make learning science more exciting for students and teachers.  We've taken national science standards for 3rd-5th grade and turned them into lessons delivered via the most age-appropriate medium: movement.  Students become planets, molecules, sound waves, making science fun, engaging and memorable.

We're starting out with a big idea: change the way we educate kids.  Free them from their desks, blend academics with creativity and unleash their inner genius!  These pilot videos will enable teachers everywhere to use the Mobius approach: teach highly engaging science lessons to learners of all abilities and styles through movement.

Here are just a few of the stats that get us fired up about this project:

*  US science scores are declining...we rank 23rd out of 65 developed nations on the latest international test

*  17% of US children ages 2-19 are considered obese (13 million kids)

*  No Child Left Behind mandates are only for reading and math, neglecting science, physical education and the arts (we love how Mobius addresses all 3 at once!)

HISTORY

I started working on this idea in 2007, testing lessons with students and teachers.  In 2010 I wrote the 25-lesson curriculum, based on a synthesis of state standards (MA, CA, MN, TX).  From 2010-2012 I tested the lessons in schools.  I've been so encouraged by feedback from teachers and students that it's time to make these lessons available to a larger audience. (For a full list of concepts covered in the curriculum please go here.)

SHORT-TERM GOAL

The goal for this Kickstarter project is to make the first 2 video lessons. We have assembled an incredibly talented and experienced team of filmmakers who are ready to turn this idea into reality and get kids moving!  We will create a prototype formula that all of the lessons will follow.  Sort of like creating a pilot TV show! 

LONG-TERM GOAL

Our long-term goal is to turn all 25 (and counting) lessons into videos to create an online library for teachers.  We want to see kids across the country moving to learn everyday. 

We aim to be a new resource for teachers to engage more students.  From our 2 years of testing we've heard from teachers who are overwhelmed by creating quality lessons in a subject they often know little about (science).  We want to alleviate that burden and deliver high-quality, engaging lessons that are accessible to all teachers.  Teachers, schools or districts will purchase affordable Move It subscriptions to the library on an annual basis. 

Once we get the 3rd-5th grade library established we plan to keep going until we have lessons that cover science standards for K-12.  If you help us exceed our Kickstarter goal, we will make more videos!

BUDGET

Our goal of $16,660 will allow us to make the first 2 lessons.  Each lesson is designed to last approximately 50 minutes and will require about 10 minutes of video.  The lessons will be broken into short segments; the teacher will pause the video to facilitate the movement exercises and then return back to the video for the next segment.

For any of you with experience in film, you will recognize that this is a very lean budget.   We have 3 camera/producer people who have already kickstarted this project with many donated hours and will be charging well below their going rate. Thanks crew!

Our goal is to make each video lesson for about $6,000 each.  To make all 25 lessons will cost about $150,000. Once we have income from the sale of the videos we will continue to invest in the videos by adding more graphics and animation that help portray the science concepts. 

WHY NOW?

We think now, more than ever, is a good time to cultivate the next generation of creative scientists equipped to solve problems in a rapidly changing world. The more we look around at the world, the more urgent we feel about getting kids excited about science!

These pilot videos are the beginning to what we consider an educational movement.  A movement to connect mind + body in the learning process, to make learning physical, fun and creative.  And to frame science as a creative, world-changing endeavor.