This study reports on the use of magic shows, fires & explosions, and other dramatic effects to demonstrate scientific phenomena in chemical education.  Such demonstrations are common in chemistry lecture and lab.  The student audience often reacts with increased interest and curiosity, and so their usefulness in education seems obvious.  Our study examined the lessons learned from these demonstrations, and retention of the lessons.  We used specific chemical demonstrations to increase student interest, and focused on a single chemical principle or scientific phenomenon for each demonstration.  The lesson learned, and retention of that learning, was measured via student questionnaire, teacher report, among other tools.

Flash and the bang in chemical education:  Magic shows, explosions, and other dramatic effects

251st National Meeting (2016)

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