Have you ever been to a magic show and wondered if you could perform amazing tricks, too? Many of the most magical-looking effects are possible because of some quite basic principles of science.

This unit gives students the chance to investigate the science of magic … or, perhaps, the magic of science!

LIST OF ACTIVITIES

Deep Purple Magic
More Deep Purple Magic
The Disappearing Glass
Coin Through Latex
Mobius Bands
Crayon Mind Reading
All Tied Up In Knots
Rope Handcuffs
Tied and Tangled
Magician’s Rock, Paper, Scissors!
Super Magic Tube

Objectives

  • Explain the chemistry behind a simple acid-base reaction.

  • Describe how the refraction of light index can explain why something becomes invisible.

  • Explain the importance of observation when doing science.

Materials

  • See individual activities for materials.

Background

Magic is something that seems otherworldly or mysterious. Magicians entertain us by creating the illusion that they have strange and mysterious powers.

In the world around us, we can get by without having a good understanding of how everything works. For many of the complicated gadgets that we use, the science is hidden inside the “black box”. So it may seem to work “like magic”. Science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke claimed that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. If we understand why things happen based on our observations or previous knowledge, things don’t seem as magical anymore.

How-To Tip:
Figuring out the science behind the magic can get kids thinking critically, but don’t take out all of the fun by explaining every trick. Keep some secrets to yourself!

To successfully engage your audience/students, think of it as a 3-step process:
1. It is very important to “shtick” the trick. That means presenting the trick in such a way that students have the opportunity to be impressed by it (remember to practice!).
2. Give students the opportunity to try to figure it out.
3. Step in and connect their discussion and ideas with the solution.

Be sure to allocate enough time for this 3-step process during each session.

About the sticker

Survivors

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

Egg BB

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

Comet Crisp

Artist: Jeff Kulak

Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.

About the sticker

T-Rex and Baby

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Buddy the T-Rex

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Geodessy

Artist: Michelle Yong

Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.

About the sticker

Science Buddies

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.

About the sticker

Western Dinosaur

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.

About the sticker

Time-Travel T-Rex

Artist: Ty Dale

From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.