Loading ...Should magic tricks be used as a way to teach science in today’s classrooms? This question and about a dozen more were asked of me during an interview for an international magazine for the Society of American Magicians. The author of the article, Lindsay Smith, wanted to know my thoughts on a current trend in science assemblies and before-and-after school science classes being offered in many elementary schools throughout the U.S. The issue for magicians is one of exposure - teachers or science demonstrators who are exposing secrets of magic in an attempt to teach science.
What are your thoughts on this? You can read an excerpt from the interview that appeared in the September issue of M-U-M by clicking on the “more” link below. Should science demonstrators / teachers use tricks from a magic shop to teach science?
Excerpts from the article by Lindsay Smith in the September issue of M-U-M for the Society of American Magicians:
The most important distinction between the science entertainer and a professional magician lies in what happens after the trick is performed. The magician concludes the effect to a nice round of applause and segues into his next effect. The science entertainer, on the other hand, poses the question to his audience, “So, do you want to know how this works?” Applause is replaced with screams of “YES!” as the science entertainer proceeds to share the “science” behind the secret. I use the term “science” in the loosest sense because anything can fall under the auspices of teaching science.
I recently attended a meeting for science teachers in California where a science entertainer shared the basic elements of his school assembly program with a packed room of teachers. After using a Dove Pan and some Flash Paper to magically make “science candy”, he posed this question to the audience members, “So, how do you think that was done?” He solicited a number of “predictions” and then proceeded to expose the workings of the Dove Pan. “You see, magic is nothing more than a clever adaptation of science. Friction and some spring-loaded clips are used to hold the upper pan in place. Since magicians can’t really do magic, they have to misdirect you with things like Flash Paper, a chemically treated paper that burns without leaving any ashes. This gives the magician the perfect chance to put the lid on top of the fire”¦ and presto”¦ the candy appears. See, magic is nothing more than a bunch of scientific principles you can learn in school. And that’s how the show started.
Bottom line… these science entertainers are looking for anything that is interactive, amazing, funny and has a gee-whiz factor.
Should magicians be mad about this kind of exposure? Sure”¦ it’s our natural response to be upset, but let me suggest that it’s our own fault. As magicians we are eager to open magic shops (especially on-line stores) and to sell almost anything to the public. We even go so far as to write books and star in our own DVDs that showcase our best practices when it comes to performing the material. As long as we continue to openly sell the tricks of our trade to anyone (that means non-magicians) with a credit card, we really don’t have grounds for much of a complaint. Please don’t take this the wrong way”¦ I understand our age-old oath of secrecy and our concerns about exposure, but try explaining that the person who wants more material for their upcoming school show - material that you’re willing to sell to anyone - and they’re willing to pay the asking price.
The complete article will be posted later in September with the permission of the Editor.
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September 3rd, 2006 at 11:59 am
Thanks for your views in the September ‘06 MUM regarding “science magic”. I am the 1st grade teacher referenced in the article.After witnessing the “Mad Science” assembly and posting my opinion on SamTalk, I was puzzled by some responses, feeling like “Chicken Little” bringing this subject forward.
As both a teacher who loves science and magic enthusiast, something inside of me told me that this was different from other exposures of magic like the “Masked Magician”. Your comments in the article expressed my emotions exactly. Thank you for sharing them with the fraternity.
Leonard Hutchens, 1st grade teacher
Clemmons Elementary School
September 3rd, 2006 at 12:00 pm
My career in schools began when working for Don Herbert and his “Mr. Wizards world of energy” show. For me, I found teaching science much more rewarding than being a buffoon for inebriates, so quit comedy clubs for science.
As I plan on putting in what I am writing, I think your concept is valid but needs a larger context. It really isn’t “mad about science magic.” It really needs to be “mad about magic shows in drag.”
All you have to do is read the postings on places like “The magic cafe” to see the real issue; Magicians are looking for an “excuse” to do their favorite trick, no matter the reason for the gathering. An example is doing the Zig Zag in a “mathematical magic show” saying it teaches fractions.
More to the point, none of this would be an issue were it not for a Wall Street Journal story, that ranked “science shows” as the #1 birthday party. Magicians, for the most part, being the lemmings that they are, jumped on with the same effort they put into most of their product. This is to say, not much. I know, because I have seen their flyers, and sadly, some of their programs. I did the first “Magic of Science” show in 1972. I cannot tell you how many magicians do a “Magic of Science” show today, most of which are shows like you describe. While I have never seen the exposure of the dove pan you spoke of, nothing surprises me.
However, when a national magic dealer sells an effect for $1000, that is a classic science experiment, where is the exposure? You can find the exact same reaction in many science catalogs. Slush powder? Every science website that deals with kids deals with it, including yours.
Because the written word lacks facial expression and tones, and you really don’t know me, the following is humor…..
….I have always wondered where the “science” is in the Magic coloring book and Vanishing crayons you sell in your catalog….
…tongue is leaving my cheek.
As I said, I think you have hit on something, but I think there is more to it magicians need to learn from.
September 3rd, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Mark - Thanks for your comments. Here are a few thoughts that might help the discussion along…
I appreciate your point and understand your comments about products like the Magic Coloring Book. Our product development team at Steve Spangler Science never claimed that the Magic Color Book and Vanishing Crayons are science. It’s part of a larger section that we offer in the area of magic. Reading our instructions, you would see that the teacher is told not to share the secret as this is a magic trick. The motivation for using the trick with young children is two fold: To give the early childhood teacher an opportunity to something “magical” in front of her students (maybe the first time ever) and to offer the children a unique way to interact with their teacher (also maybe the first time ever). Selecting a magic trick to share as a way to get a teacher “hooked” on the idea of “interacting” instead of “lecturing” is not a bad approach. Many professionals use magic tricks to communicate a message. Their are a number of professional speakers in the National Speakers Association who use magic to illustrate a point. These professionals, including teachers, should not expose the workings of the magic trick.
September 3rd, 2006 at 2:15 pm
The real issue here is the “magic show in drag”. Now, let me define that. People want something “other” than a “magic show”. So, performer says they have a “anti bully” or “science” or “historical” show. Whatever. In truth, it is a magic show, with some small part of the script dealing with the core issue. In other words, using juggling as not to offend, it looks like this:
Juggle, juggle, juggle
Be nice to your pets
Juggle, juggle, juggle
Stay in school
Juggle, Juggle, Juggle
Don’t Do Drugs! Goodnight everybody!
By definition a magic show in drag is NOT addressing the reason for the gathering. Doing Zig Zag (a magic trick where the illusion is created of a girl being cut into three parts) in a “mathmatical magic show” is not going to help kids learn fractions.
In other words, it is not non-magicians exposing those things, it is people who call themselves magicians doing so willingly. How would a “non-magician” know what a dove pan is?
Do I understand it? No. I was a magician LONG before I became a “science magician”. I have NEVER thought about doing a legitimate “magic trick” then exposing it as “science”. It never crossed my mind.
Mainly because I knew there were far better demonstrations that were real science. Look at the nation wide excitement over the mentos/diet coke reaction!
I think the problem we have is the people reading this are not the people doing it. Magic as a whole is not well known for taking an objective look at itself. The real “duffers” are not going to admit to same. You will see both projection and justification from those who do not want to change what they are doing. Of course they do not, CHANGE TO WHAT? They are doing a magic show in drag, FAKING the science part…..
…the only question is, who is fooling whom?
September 3rd, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Mark — I think you hit the nail on the head. Judging from the emails I’m getting, I’d say that many magicians ARE getting it. I’m just trying to get them to post their comments on the blog. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Would you give everyone the address for your website?
September 20th, 2006 at 7:47 am
Greets… enjoyed the article in MUM. As someone who’s been fiddling with magic and science for over 30 years (and coming from a family of scientists- 3 chemists!), I have myself had the opportunity to observe many shows over the years claiming to be “educational” in a particular subject. I must agree with Mr. Tripp’s comments that for most of what I have seen, these shows have been magic shows in drag.
A couple of years ago I decided to put together Jewish religious educational shows, due to 2 facts: 1, there aren’t many performers doing a show that claims to be a Jewish educational show, and 2) what little I’ve seen in that arena is abysmally bad, and often teaches nothing! I have video of a show that isn’t even a good magic show! It seems like little planning went into the show at all! So I wanted to correct this by coming up with a script for teaching something specific, and then using magic, puppetry, multi-media (video projections and large posters) etc. to help enforce the points made. It seems to have worked, as people who see the show talk about the “Chanuka” show rather than “some magic show”.
I’ve thought about doing a real science show just because I love science as well as teaching and doing shows, now I know another marketing angle for a show if I put one together- “NOT A MAGIC SHOW! My show teaches real science in a way that kids LOVE!” or something like that!