Teaching Bezier Curves to Middle Schoolers? Absolutely!

The last section of the self-paced online 3D modeling course in NCLab teaches students how to create rotational surfaces and solids based on Bezier curves. The one cool thing about the Bezier curves is that they can be used without understanding the underlying math. Is that a bad thing? Well, perhaps you can ask yourself if you really understand the technology behind the touch screen display of your smart phone.

Here is what they are: A Bezier curve is a straight line that connects two points. To add curvature to it, use one or more additional points. These points will pull the curve in their direction as magnets. End of lecture! Few examples: