WHY SUPERHEROES?
Kids love superheroes! Since the “Golden Age” of comic books (the late 1930s - 1950s) children of all ages have been fascinated by superheroes and super villains, spending countless hours reading comic books, and watching their favorite superheroes on television and in theaters. But, what makes a good superhero? Like any fictional character, good heroes are grounded in and connected to the real world around us. By making connections between the “superpowers” of these superheroes with actual, real-world scientific principles and concepts, children can learn about complex concepts in a fun, exciting and relatable way. For example, understanding the physics of Spiderman's web-slinging or the meteorology behind Storm’s powers can spark a child's interest in these fields. We call this “superhero science.” This approach not only enhances their scientific knowledge but also cultivates critical thinking skills as they unravel the plausibility of superhero abilities. The fun element of relating science to superheroes also encourages creativity, inspiring children to imagine how scientific breakthroughs can create a 'super' future. In essence, superhero science brings STEM concepts to life, making them both exciting, relatable and memorable.
WEAVING IN THE SCIENCE
Within the universe (or should we say “multiverse”?) of superheroes, we find captivating parallels to the principles of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Interwoven into these classic stories and “super” abilities are fundamental scientific phenomena which, by their very nature, are supercharged in the minds of young learners. The Flash's super-speed, for instance, becomes an exploration into Einstein's Theory of Relativity, unveiling how time dilation might allow him to perceive the world in slow motion. Similarly, Spider-Man's wall-crawling adventures open the door to understanding intermolecular forces, as his ability to scale walls echoes the real-world capabilities of geckos leveraging van der Waals forces. Superman's X-ray vision, while not perfectly analogous, provides a perfect segue into discussing the electromagnetic spectrum and how our eyes perceive light. Such narratives turn superheroes into relatable guides, leading children into the awe-inspiring world of superhero science.
SUPERHERO SCIENCE AT HOME
In fact, you can even explore the connections between superpowers and STEM science at home. Here are a couple of ”superhero science” experiments you can do with your young ones:
Magnetism (inspired by Magneto):
Materials: Bar magnet, iron nails, paperclips, other small metallic and non-metallic items.Procedure: This experiment can show the concept of magnetic fields and magnetic materials. First, demonstrate how the bar magnet can attract magnetic materials like iron nails and paperclips. Then, show that it can't attract non-magnetic materials like plastic or wood. You can also demonstrate how magnets have two poles by taking two magnets and showing that like poles repel each other while opposite poles attract. This simple experiment brings the concept of magnetism to life.
Light Refraction (inspired by The Fantastic 4’s Invisible Woman):
Materials: Glass, water, a straw or a pencil.Procedure: Fill the glass with water and place a straw or pencil in it. Observe the straw from the side of the glass. The straw appears to be broken or bent at the water's surface. This happens due to refraction - the bending of light as it passes from one medium (air) to another (water), changing speed as it does so. This experiment can illustrate the concept of light refraction, which is fundamental to the power of invisibility.
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION
Here are couple other resources for bringing comic book and movie superhero science to your little ones at home:The Science Behind Superheroes - TED-Ed: TED-Ed has a number of great videos that discuss the science of superheroes: https://ed.ted.com/series/the-science-of-superheroes
Science of Superheroes - Khan Academy: This Khan Academy resource offers a great course on the physics, biology, and chemistry behind superhero powers: https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/pixar/science-of-superpowers
OUR SUPERHERO SCIENCE CLASS
At Professor Egghead Science Academy, we are thrilled to infuse the cinematic magic of superheroes into our proprietary science curriculum. Our Professor Egghead Superhero Science League program is meticulously designed to inspire young minds, merging the mesmerizing world of superhero stories with solid STEM learning. Picture your child unlocking the “superhero science” behind Spider-Man’s ability to stick to walls or Aquaman’s ability to control the flow of the Ocean! We offer hands-on activities that breathe life into scientific concepts, making learning an exciting adventure.
Our expert instructors, aka Professors, guide learners, igniting a spark of scientific curiosity while nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. And the best part? Your children will be having so much fun, they won't even realize how much they're learning! We can't wait for your child to join our superhero-inspired educational journey. Signing up is a breeze - simply head over to our website or give us a call. We offer both camp and after-school class options, all designed to accommodate your busy schedules. Don't let your child miss out on this remarkable journey where science meets superheroes - Enroll with Professor Egghead Science Academy today!
