Maths and magic

Long ago in the days of Pythagoras (an ancient Greek mathematician), people believed that numbers had magical powers. Nowadays, the beautiful, predictable patterns that appear when particular numbers are added, multiplied or divided serve as the basis for many a mathemagical trick (what we do not know or cannot comprehend appears as magic). And there is another aspect of mathematics – topology – that features in the repertoire of many stage magicians.

Session 4

Science and Magic

Information

Games

Crafts & Activities

About this Topic

Welcome to the Science and Technology Ray, Science and Magic, where we shall be exploring the fascinating and ever-changing relationship between science and magic. At first sight, the two areas might appear to be diametrically opposed – the conjuror with his attempt to deceive the audience and the scientists to reveal a scientific truth, but science and magic both arose from human beings’ desire to make sense of an uncertain world and they have both been used by some people to gain power over others.

How to use this resource

There are 5 Rays, which provide a programme for one year’s sessions for a children’s group running during term-time. For each Ray, there is a set of topics, each of which comprises a theme for a term or half-term.

The sessions are presented in a pick-and-mix way - some information, some games, crafts, videos, etc. You are encouraged to adapt the material to your own setting , the time you have available and the resources you have. Don’t think that you have to do everything on offer.