Summer SAVY, Session 1 Day 2, Harry Potter: The Science Behind the Magic (Richards, Sect. 2) (5th-6th)
Dear SAVY Families of our Young Wizards,
Today at Hogwarts for Muggles, we dove even deeper into the science behind the magic—and what a spellbinding day it was! With House Points on the line, our students rose to the challenge and explored the real-world science behind Wingardium Leviosa, magical maps, and even invisible ink.
First, our students became young physicists this morning as they learned how magnetic repulsion can cause objects to float, just like levitating charms in the wizarding world! Using mini neodymium magnets and everyday objects, students rotated through “Anti-Gravity Alley,” “Hover Hub,” and “Charms Circle,” experimenting with magnetic levitation and force at a distance. It was amazing to see their teamwork, problem-solving, and excitement as pencils, rings, and objects floated and spun midair!
This afternoon, students transformed into scientific alchemists, experimenting with invisible ink that appeared only under UV light! They wrote secret messages and created their own magical Marauder’s Maps—just like Fred and George would have done. While the magic seemed real, our young scientists learned about the chemistry of fluorescence, electrons, and how light can reveal hidden compounds.
Students built on yesterday’s ideas and now understand:
- How magnetism works—and how it could be used to levitate a broomstick!
- What fluorescence is, and how scientists use it in fields like forensics and medicine.
- That what may seem like “magic” often has a scientific explanation when we look closely enough.
At home tonight, ask your students about magnetism and light. What happens when like poles face each other? What about when opposite poles face each other? What is the difference between fluorescence and phosphorescence? Tomorrow, we’ll soar into the science of flight and motion! Students will investigate the physics behind gravity and motion as they relate to real-world phenomena, like flying broomsticks and the golden snitch. Using an iterative design process, our young wizards will engineer and test catapults to launch their own “golden snitches,” applying principles of force, trajectory, and balance.
Later in the day, we’ll head back to Potions Class—this time exploring acid-base reactions! Through hands-on experiments, students will mix mysterious ingredients and observe magical changes like bubbling, color shifts, and even pH transformations as they create their very own fizzing, maybe messy, color-changing potions!
Warm wishes,
Hannah Richards