Mobo Studio Returns!

The winter installment of Q2L’s afterschool program Mobo Studio has been in full-effect since early February. Administered and developed by the Institute of Play, Mobo Studio’s themed workshops or “pods” have been led by two new and talented teacher-mentors, Inti Einhorn and Rosanna Lopez. Mobo Studio’s project-based learning environment creates an active, studio-like atmosphere where kids are encouraged to problem solve, learn new things and integrate mobile technologies in authentic and creative ways.

This trimester Mobo Studio has two offerings—Frankentoy and Video U. In Frankentoy, students become mad scientists and learn about resourcing and re-using materials and how things work by deconstructing and reconstructing everything from plush toys to legos. Ripping, cutting, stuffing, and sewing, Frankentoy is a truly hands-on and process-oriented environment, where students are creating “truly absurd and wonderful plush beasts” which they hope to bring back to life using stop-motion animation. Right now the focus is on creation and documentation, as students make objects and then invent fantastical backstories which can be posted on Q2L’s social learning network Being Me.

The Video-U pod participants have immersed themselves in digital media production—acting, shooting video, storyboarding, scriptwriting, learning green-screen techniques and other special and editing. This crash-course in media production basics resulted in the creation of a Video-U trailer that was screened for all of the students at the school. The kids have also spent time learning about different media styles, various genre realms and studying different cinematic styles. This past week, Video U’s efforts have been more self-reflective, as participants have used mobile phones to document their lives and create a self-portrait. Later in the trimester, the Video-U videographers will put all of their skills to use first consulting and then helping to produce Frankentoy’s animated monster movies.