Projects in this category are original works that bring images, characters, or objects to life through motion. Entries may be created using 2D animation, 3D animation, stop-motion, or code-driven sprite animation. Projects should demonstrate creativity, technical execution, and purposeful storytelling or communication.

Animation may take the form of short films, educational explainers, music videos, humorous shorts, or other narrative or conceptual pieces. Students should be prepared to explain their design process, asset creation (where applicable), and how they achieved motion and timing.

Examples of eligible tools include (but are not limited to):

• 2D Animation: Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, Synfig, Krita, Pencil2D

• 3D Animation: Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D

• Stop-Motion: iStopMotion, Stop Motion Studio, Dragonframe

• Code-Based Animation: Scratch, Alice, Processing, p5.js, Godot (2D animation tools)

• Other platforms: Toontastic, PowToon, Flipaclip, or similar creative apps

Judges use this rubric as a guideline for exemplary project characteristics in this category. Students should use the rubric as a guide to judges' expectations. Information courtesy of the State Technology Competition.