Mathematics of Pixar

About the Course

Mathematics of Pixar

Grades 4-5
CTY-Level
LIVE
Mathematics

Learn how digital artists animate the mouth of a Toy Story character by manipulating a single point on a polygon, or how combinations are applied to turn three unique robot designs into 3,000 individual robots for background characters in Wall-E. How many helium-filled balloons does it take to fly? What do combinatorics, geometric modeling, and trigonometry have in common? All are mathematical questions answered every day by animators at Pixar Studios.

Use real examples from Pixar films to explore various principles of mathematics—specific topics include advanced counting, combinations and permutations, coordinate geometry, distance and midpoints, area, volume, and averages. Through individual lessons, group activities, problem sets, and watching popular films, develop a strong understanding of why Pixar relies so heavily on the work of mathematicians.

Fall and Spring Time Commitment: 4-5 hours per week (1-hour of class time, 3-4 hours of independent work).
Summer Time Commitment: 12-15 hours per week (3-hours of class time, 9-12 hours of independent work).

Course Overview

What we'll do

The primary goals of the course are to extend students’ knowledge and understanding of the mathematics involved in creating and animating Pixar movies. The course consists of nine units. Each unit includes a synchronous group meeting held on Zoom, as well as asynchronous activities, assigned readings, videos, problem sets, and projects.

What we’ll learn

Extend students’ knowledge and understanding of some of the elements of mathematics used in the everyday work of animators, modelers, and computer scientists at Pixar Studios
Connect elements of mathematics and STEM with creativity and artistic design, understanding how interconnected these interests and elements can be
Demonstrate that much of the success of a company like Pixar is due to the ingenuity of computer scientists and mathematicians

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Describe many of the specific mathematical tools and elements that are involved in the everyday work of creating a Pixar film, and clearly identify these elements while watching any Pixar movie
Perform many of the same calculations used in the design of complex computer programs at Pixar, including translations, scale, subdivision, combinations, volume, weighted averages and dimensional analysis
Understand and explain how each of these calculations is applied to a greater artistic goal within the creation of each film, such as character modeling, character movement, creating crowds, or creating realism
Identify and better understand the many non-mathematical tools and elements that are required to create a great Pixar movie, such as storytelling, messaging, perspective, diversity, and suspension of disbelief
Design a unique Math of Pixar lesson about the math skills and Pixar movie of their choice utilizing topics covered in previous lessons through the course

How we'll measure learning

“Pre-lesson” assignments designed to lead-in to the upcoming lesson consist of watching segments of Pixar movies, watching other short videos, reading short articles, and answering short questions. Homework assignments between each synchronous lesson. each will consist of mathematical problem set(s), a creative activity related to the math topic and movie covered during the previous lesson, and short written assignments/short answer questions related to the non-math topics covered. You will also design your own Math of Pixar lesson as a final project.

This course is

ungraded.

Classes

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY.

Saturdays

Jan 25 - Mar 22

8 weeks

9:00 a.m. (ET)

$1,365

Enroll

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Jun 16 - Jul 3

3 weeks

3:00 p.m. (ET)

$1,365

Enroll

Testing and Prerequisites

	Math	Verbal
Required Level	CTY-Level	Not required

Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Cost and Financial Aid

Tuition
- Varies
Application fee
- Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
- Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

Financial Aid

We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible.

Learn More

Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].

Disney+ Membership

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client, and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app. Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

Our online Mathematics courses—spanning elementary through college-level curricula—cover a wide range of topics, from algebra and geometry to chess, cryptology, and AP Calculus and are guided by expert instructors. You’ll join group sessions with classmates to ensure you stay on track with challenging course content. Whether you’re looking for pure math fun and enrichment, to move up the math ladder and advance your honors and AP (and beyond) academic standing, or to train for mathematics competitions, there’s a CTY course that’s right for you.

New math enrichment courses available!

Explore our new math enrichment courses, including Excursions in Pre-algebra and Introduction to Logic and Proofs.

Join the exciting world of competitive math

Participate in the High School Math Club or enroll in 6 IP courses: Middle School Competitive Math I, Middle School Competitive Math II, Middle School Competitive Math III, Competitive Mathematics Prep, Competitive Mathematics I, Competitive Mathematics II.

Meet our Mathematics Instructors

I love that through CTY, I get the chance to work with gifted students from all over the world. I consider it an honor to be part of their journey!

Amanda Broton

Mathematics Instructor

I am so excited when students are able to persevere and decode a very challenging cipher in the course! I love that Cryptology teaches patience and dedication, and that mathematics is so much more than just the study of numbers and equations.

Jillian Green

Mathematics Instructor

I love helping students understand difficult topics and make connections between them. Understanding Calculus is what makes advanced engineering applications possible, so it is extremely relevant to today's world and to the inventions of tomorrow.

Donna Miller

Mathematics Instructor

Online Programs