SUMMARY: How did they do that? It must have been magic! No… it was the clever application of scientific knowledge and known phenomena! Five demonstrations and six activities will introduce children to the science of magic!
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Students will be dazzled by a little “magic” with our opening of a “Disappearing Rabbit”… but is it really magic? We’ll challenge them to employ their mind, body, and all five senses to determine the explanation to our tricks! We’ll perform some of the most “classical” magic tricks—the Illusion Box, Houdini’s Chains, and various handkerchief tricks, etcetera, and some newer tricks like Hydrophobic Experience and even a Body Illusion. Hey, ever see the Three-cup Monte trick? How did they make those crazy diaper commercials? Students will see and try all these tricks, learn how to reproduce them, and most importantly, they’ll learn how to unlock the secrets behind them!
EDUCATIONAL VALUE: The Science of Magic is a unique class. It aims not to introduce children to any particular scientific area, concept, or theme, but to challenge the children to think logically, and therefore, scientifically. Hopefully, “How did they do that?” will become the initial question that children will ask themselves, not only when watching a magic show, but also when simply observing the fascinating world around them. Children’s natural curiosity provides the perfect stepping stone for understanding magic.
NOTE: Mad Science Programs are fun explorations into science and technology, and they encourage informal learning through hands-on experience. All Mad Science workshops include a lot of fascinating equipment, supplies, and take-home materials which the children build themselves. The Mad Science mission is to spark the imagination and curiosity of children everywhere by providing them with fun, entertaining, and educational activities which instill a clear understanding of what science really is, and how it affects the world around them.
