Engaging with computer science through magic shows

ABSTRACT

We describe our experiences illustrating core concepts and enthusing children (age 11-17) about computer science through magic shows. We outline links between various tricks and computer science. The format of show we have trialed is to present real magic tricks with an underlying link to computer science. After each trick the audience is challenged to work out how it works. The mechanics are explained followed by the underlying computer science. Feedback with Talented and Gifted children has been exceptional. Informal feedback from younger children of varying ability has also been very positive.

REFERENCES

• 1: Adelson E.H., 2000 Lightness Perception and Lightness Illusions. In The New Cognitive Neurosciences, 2nd ed., M. Gazzaniga, ed. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
• 2: Bell, T., Fellows, M. and Witten, I. Computer Science Unplugged, http://csunplugged.com/index.php/error-detection.html
• 3: Berlekamp, E.R., Conway, J.H. and Guy, R.K. 1982 Winning Ways for your mathematical plays, Volume 2: Games in particular, p669, Academic Press
• 4: Colombini, A., 2003, 'The worlds Best collection of easy to do impromptu card magic', Morris Publishing, Kearney US.
• 5: Corning, M., Way, T., Papalaskari, M-A. and Nadi, N., 2008 "Computer Science Workshops from the Villanova Magic School Science Camp." Poster presentation, to appear SIGCSE Technical Symposium (SIGCSE 2008), March.
• 6: Curzon, P. 2007. Serious Fun in Computer Science. 12th Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (Dundee, Scotland, June 2007), ITiCSE 2007, 261--265.
• 7: Fulves, K. 1983 Self-working Number Magic Dover NY.
• 8: Fulves, K. 2001 My Best Self-Working Card Tricks, Dover.
• 9: Gardner, M. 1987. Mathematical Games, Scientific American, 238 No2 pp 19--32 (February 1987)
• 10: Johnston, A, Benton, C and McOwan, P. W. 1999 Induced motion at texture-defined motion boundaries, Proc. Royal Soc. Lond. B 266, pp 2441--2450.
• 11: Kruse, G., 2003. "Magic numbers approach to introducing binary number representation in CSO", ACM SIGCSE Bulletin 35(3), p.272.
• 12: MagicTricksonline.com, The Best Online Magic Trick http://www.infodump.com/magic/cards/index.htm. Last accessed 18/1/2008.
• 13: Morris, S.B. 1998. Magic Tricks, Card Shuffling and Dynamic Computer Memories, The Mathematical Association of America.
• 14: Narzt, W, Pomberger, G. Ferscha A. et al, 2004 "A new Visualization Concept for Navigation Systems" User-Centered Interaction Paradigms for Universal Access in the Information Society, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 3196, 440--451, Springer.
• 15: Papalaskari, M.A., et al. 2006, "PIVOTS: Service Learning at the Science, Theatre & Magic Boundary." 36th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 18--23.
• 16: Penn and Teller, 1984, 'The Worlds Most Expensive Card Trick' http://www.metacafe.com/watch/153178/penn_teller/
• 17: Simonson, S. and Holm, T., 2003. "Using a Card Trick to Teach Discrete Mathematics", Primus: Problems, Resources and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies, v.13, 248--269.
• 18: Spool J. 2007 Keynote Presentation. The 21st British HCI Group Annual Conference.
• 19: Steinmeyer, J. 2005. Hiding the Elephant, Arrow Books.
• 20: Way, T. 2007 Using Magic to Teach Computer Science. Workshop tutorial, SIGCSE Technical Symposium.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

General Terms:
Algorithms, Human Factors, Verification

Keywords:
computer science education, magic, science public engagement