Discover the Science Behind the Magic of Harry Potter
One reason the magic in the world of Harry Potter is so compelling is that some of it has a basis in real-world science. Explore how scientific fields like genetics, chemistry, botany and zoology are reflected in the Harry Potter books and movies.
Students will explore the science of Harry Potter through video clips, presentations, discussions and group work. We will discuss the evidence of genetics, such as red hair among the Weasleys and Hagrid’s size, inherited from his giantess mother. We will look at the fantastic beasts in the books and consider which are most realistic and how use of science realism makes the impossible seem plausible. Students will consider the science behind Hogwarts’ Potions class and do a chemistry experiment. They will Identify herbs used in Herbology class and learn about their attributes and medical applications. Students will enjoy this class most if they have read at least one Harry Potter book or seen at least one of the movies, although prior knowledge is not required.
What You Will Learn
Understand how scientific fields like genetics, chemistry, botany and zoology are reflected in the Harry Potter books and movies.
- Discuss evidence of genetics in the Harry Potter stories.
- Explore which fantastic beasts are most realistic.
- Understand how science realism makes the impossible seem plausible.
- Look at the science behind Potions class in the books and do a chemistry experiment.
- Identify herbs used in Herbology class and learn about their attributes and medical applications.
Return to the Sally Ride Science Junior Academy website here.
Note: Upon successful enrollment of a section, students will receive a confirmation email from our Student Services team. This email will include a link to an authorization form that is required to be completed within 72-hours of enrollment.
In response to COVID-19 health guidelines, we have restructured our in-person Junior Academy workshops as
online courses. Contact us at srs@ucsd.edu if you have questions.
Course Number: SCI-90016
Credit: 1.50 unit(s)
+ Expand All
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6/27/2022 - 7/1/2022
$175
Live Online
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CLASS TYPE:
Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published times (time/date).
Barnadas, Melinda
Melinda Barnadas is an interdisciplinary visual artist and educator with an insatiable curiosity; a love of wonderment; and a desire to facilitate learning through creation. Her art and science relationship began as an intern in research at The Field Museum of Natural History while studying for her BFA at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 1997. She holds an MFA in Visual Arts with a Public Culture focus from UCSD and is the founder and current director of Magpie Studio, fabrication for Art & Science which has produced scientific illustrations and models for many museums and independent research projects around the world. She has also instructed courses with Sally Ride Junior Academy since 2017.
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POLICIES:
1st meeting mandatory.
Early enrollment advised.
No UCSD parking permit required.
No visitors permitted.
Pre-enrollment required.
No refunds after: 6/20/2022.
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NOTE:
This is a MIDDLE SCHOOL level course. Instructor will email student with Zoom information 24-hours in advance of start date. Please note this email will go to the student email on file, and not the parent email. The course runs the first two hours with an optional office hour the last hour. Supply list:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NmmoT5Dghe5zBPq0jDWrjE9qWtx-FAVM/edit#gid=2134214331
| DATE | DAY | START | END | LOCATION |
|---|
| 6/27/2022 | Mon | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
| 6/28/2022 | Tue | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
| 6/29/2022 | Wed | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
| 6/30/2022 | Thu | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
| 7/1/2022 | Fri | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
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7/11/2022 - 7/15/2022
$175
Live Online
-
-
-
CLASS TYPE:
Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published times (time/date).
Barnadas, Melinda
Melinda Barnadas is an interdisciplinary visual artist and educator with an insatiable curiosity; a love of wonderment; and a desire to facilitate learning through creation. Her art and science relationship began as an intern in research at The Field Museum of Natural History while studying for her BFA at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 1997. She holds an MFA in Visual Arts with a Public Culture focus from UCSD and is the founder and current director of Magpie Studio, fabrication for Art & Science which has produced scientific illustrations and models for many museums and independent research projects around the world. She has also instructed courses with Sally Ride Junior Academy since 2017.
-
-
POLICIES:
1st meeting mandatory.
Early enrollment advised.
No UCSD parking permit required.
No visitors permitted.
Pre-enrollment required.
No refunds after: 7/5/2022.
-
NOTE:
This is a HIGH SCHOOL level course. Instructor will email student with Zoom information 24-hours in advance of start date. Please note this email will go to the student email on file, and not the parent email. The course runs the first two hours with an optional office hour the last hour. Supply list:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rJNUWNkNy0e2VOLHYzt_PoOJZE3Vcygd/edit#gid=2071836406
| DATE | DAY | START | END | LOCATION |
|---|
| 7/11/2022 | Mon | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
| 7/12/2022 | Tue | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
| 7/13/2022 | Wed | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
| 7/14/2022 | Thu | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
| 7/15/2022 | Fri | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | |
There are no sections of this course currently scheduled. Please contact the Pre-College Programs department at 858-534-0804 or precollege@ucsd.edu for information about when this course will be offered again.