Fourth graders at Johnston Elementary had a one-of-a-kind learning experience thanks to special guests Jim Jenkins, creator of the hit 90s cartoons “Doug” and “PB&J Otter,” and his wife Lisa. The creative duo spent the day in the school’s media center guiding students through the science and art behind animation.
During the workshop, students explored how the human eye sees motion, color and shape - key concepts that bring cartoons to life. Jim and Lisa introduced a variety of classic animation techniques, showing how simple drawings can transform into characters that move, react, and tell a story.
Hands-on activities helped students understand persistence of vision, frame-by-frame storytelling, and how artists use optical illusions to create movement. Laughter and excitement filled the room as students experimented with flipbooks, sequencing, and sketching their own characters.
Jim shared stories from his early days creating “Doug” and “PB&J Otter”, inspiring students to dream big and see creativity as a powerful tool. Lisa encouraged students to get up and move, along with, embracing imagination.
The visit blended science, technology, engineering, art, and math into a magical lesson students won't soon forget. As one student put it, “I didn’t know cartoons had so much science in them!”
