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Using Magic to teach key terms in Science

Miquel DURAN, Fernando BLASCO*, Pep Anton VIETA, Josep DURAN and Sílvia SIMON

Càtedra de Cultura Científica i Comunicació Digital, Universitat de Girona

*Universidad Politécnica de Madridhttp://c4d.udg.edu @c4dudg

http://magsci.eu @magsci #magsci

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Alex Stone in “Fooling Houdini”

• There is a wealth of connections between magic and science: psychology, neuroscience, mathematics, physics [+ chemistry]

• The world of magic is filled with scientists and the world of science is filled with magicians

• Scientists and magicians are people who take an interest in mysteries

Alex Stone, “Fouling Houdini. Magicinas, Mentalists, Math Geeks and the Hidden Power of the Mind”. Harper Collins, New York, 2012

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Project “From the Magic of Science to the Science of Magic” (#magsci, 2015)

Funding Agency: Spain’s FECyT

#magsci: Six tasks• Stage show, The Mathemagic of Science• Stage show, The Magic of the Periodic Table• I Meeting on Science, Magic and Education• MOOC on Magic and Science• Participative activities at schools and @c4dudg• Mobile apps on magic and science, gamification of

recreational science

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The team

• @miquelduran• @fblascoxyz (Univ Polit Madrid)• @silviasimonr• @pepduran• @pquimic• @laiagd

• And students!

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#lammc

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#lamtp Zaragoza, Sevilla, Girona, Tarragona, Lleida, Valladolid, Barcelona

Honours Mention, Ciencia en Acción 2014 June 2015: Nancy (Science&You), London (Science on Stage)

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#ecme15 25-27/4/2015+ Magic & Science Itinerary through Girona

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#magcimooc

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Workshops + activities

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Mobile apps, gamification #pickupudgBeers, Science & Magic

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Teaching key Science terms

• Magic, when used wisely, is able to make things more attractive

• Magic should be used cautiously: students should remember the concept, rather that the surprise the effect brings about

• Magic should be combined with other motivational tools

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Random numbers

• Just shuffle cards• But... shuffle them enough!

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The binary notation

• Base 2 explanation: red / black card backs• Also base 4 is easy: four suits

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Algorithms

• Information theory

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Chain convergence

• Kruskaal principle

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3D Geometry

• Origami• Flexagons• Hypercard

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Probability

• The Monty Hall problem• Paradoxes• Lateral thinking

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Topology

• Using ropes

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Algebra

• Spelling trick by Martin Gardner• Divisibility• 9 rule• 1089• 142857

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Schrödinger’s Card/Quantum Mechanics

• Superposition principle• Also quantum computing• Quantum cryptography too

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Einstein-Podalski-Rosen entangled particle pairs

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Chemical Inmiscibility

• Oil & Water effects

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Physical basics

• Magnetism• Gravity

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Physical Observables

• Sensorial illusions– Optical– Acoustical– Weight

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Quasycristals

• Penrose tilings

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New materials

• Themochromic• Wiregram• Muscle wire

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Chemistry is magic itself!

• Electromagnetism too, indeed!

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Entropy

• Thermodynamical concept• Information theory concept

• Rubik’s cube, card shuffling, etc., as commonplace tools to explain entropy

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Molecules

• Bulding moleucles with– Cards– Paper

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All kinds of chemical magic

• Acid-base

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Eggs: multiple use

• Chemistry of food• Mechanics of rotation• Proteins

• In general: the magic of food, the magic of the kitchen

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DNA Base Pairs

• A, T, C, G base pairs in DNA are linked A-T and C-G

• In poker game cards: 2 red suits, 2 black suits• Attractive tricks may be built up

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Fibonacci-related biology

• Tricks• Golden ratio

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Starring: The Periodic Table of the Elements

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Magic and the Periodic Table• The Periodic Table– One of few cases in Nature based on

natural numbers– Allows vertical, horizontal and other

groups– Correspondence between numbers,

symbols… and letters– Allows for adaptation and

amplification of classical games and tricks

– Parity games: trip along– Well knows by a general audience

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Two Key Quotes

• The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ...‘ (Isaasc Asimov) (also “Oh My God!, as noted by Nobel Prize S Glashow)

• Martin Gardner has turned hundreds of mathematicians into magicians and hundreds of magicians into mathematicians (Persis Diaconis)

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Key ideas to (tweet and to) take away

• Key idea: Education is not a preparation for life. Education is life itself

• Let me introduce you to my favourite scientist – Panoramix

• This presentation is available at http://slideshare.net/quelgir

• Thank you!