Drawn to art

Has your child wondered what it takes to make a cartoon? All of his questions are answered at the New York Hall of Science exhibit, “Animation,” running now through Sept. 2.

The 6,000-square-foot exhibit features characters from the Cartoon Network and allows children to explore the wonders of animation from concept to finished product, including story boarding, character design and drawing techniques, to movement, timing, filming, and sound. Larger-than-life graphics of popular ’toons provide a colorful backdrop to the exhibit, which also explores the history of animation. A screening room and cartoon museum are part of the fun.

The exhibit is open now through Sept. 2, Mondays through Fridays, 9:30 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sundays, from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is $11 for adults; $8 for children, 2 to 17 years old, college students, and seniors.

The New York Hall of Science [47-01 111th St. at Avenue of Science in Corona; (718) 699-0005; www.nysci.org].

Instituto Cervantes

Children and teenagers learn to understand and express themselves in Spanish, while improving their communication skills through a dynamic immersion program taught by NATIVE TEACHERS that combines CLASSES, ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS and FUN ACTIVITIES! All of our high-qualified teachers are native Spanish speakers who adapt the structure of the class to the needs and levels of each group while conducting the classes entirely in Spanish. We offer both Spanish Summer Camps and Regular Courses for children along the year to foster language learning and multicultural understanding.

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"