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.
- Adelson E.H., 2000 Lightness Perception and Lightness Illusions. In The New Cognitive Neurosciences, 2nd ed., M. Gazzaniga, ed. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.Google Scholar
- Bell, T., Fellows, M. and Witten, I. Computer Science Unplugged, http://csunplugged.com/index.php/error-detection.htmlGoogle Scholar
- Berlekamp, E.R., Conway, J.H. and Guy, R.K. 1982 Winning Ways for your mathematical plays, Volume 2: Games in particular, p669, Academic PressGoogle Scholar
- Colombini, A., 2003, 'The worlds Best collection of easy to do impromptu card magic', Morris Publishing, Kearney US.Google Scholar
- 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.Google Scholar
- 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. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Fulves, K. 1983 Self-working Number Magic Dover NY.Google Scholar
- Fulves, K. 2001 My Best Self-Working Card Tricks, Dover.Google Scholar
- Gardner, M. 1987. Mathematical Games, Scientific American, 238 No2 pp 19--32 (February 1987)Google ScholarCross Ref
- 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.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Kruse, G., 2003. "Magic numbers approach to introducing binary number representation in CSO", ACM SIGCSE Bulletin 35(3), p.272. Google ScholarDigital Library
- MagicTricksonline.com, The Best Online Magic Trick http://www.infodump.com/magic/cards/index.htm. Last accessed 18/1/2008.Google Scholar
- Morris, S.B. 1998. Magic Tricks, Card Shuffling and Dynamic Computer Memories, The Mathematical Association of America. Google ScholarDigital Library
- 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.Google Scholar
- Papalaskari, M.A., et al. 2006, "PIVOTS: Service Learning at the Science, Theatre & Magic Boundary." 36th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 18--23.Google Scholar
- Penn and Teller, 1984, 'The Worlds Most Expensive Card Trick' http://www.metacafe.com/watch/153178/penn_teller/Google Scholar
- 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.Google Scholar
- Spool J. 2007 Keynote Presentation. The 21st British HCI Group Annual Conference.Google Scholar
- Steinmeyer, J. 2005. Hiding the Elephant, Arrow Books.Google Scholar
- Way, T. 2007 Using Magic to Teach Computer Science. Workshop tutorial, SIGCSE Technical Symposium.Google Scholar
Index Terms
- Engaging with computer science through magic shows
Recommendations
Engaging with computer science through magic shows
ITiCSE '08: Proceedings of the 13th annual conference on Innovation and technology in computer science educationWe 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 ...
Computer Science Educators Stack Exchange: Perceptions of Equity and Gender Diversity in Computer Science
SIGCSE '19: Proceedings of the 50th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science EducationThe representation of women in computer science (CS) is low in the United States and has been declining over the past few decades. Prior research has demonstrated that educators play an important role in increasing gender diversity. Not much, however, ...
An International Pilot Study of K-12 Teachers' Computer Science Self-Esteem
ITiCSE '20: Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science EducationComputer Science (CS) is a new subject area for many K-12 teachers around the world, requiring new disciplinary knowledge and skills. Teacher social-behavioral factors (e.g. self-esteem) have been found to impact learning and teaching, and a key part of ...
Comments