VIRTUAL MAGIC SCHOOL – Science and Magic schools’ educational program

INTRODUCTION

Introducing Virtual Magic School; a creative learning resource for children aged 6-10 all over Scotland. We will fuse our decade-long experience of delivering live magic workshops (in partnership with the Edinburgh International Magic Festival – MagicFest) with recent experience creating virtual workshops and events to create a free-to-use, digital resource for creativity and curriculum-led Science learning in the classroom using magic.

For many children, the world is upside down and the structures that the most vulnerable rely on – simple things, like regular school attendance – are now in disarray because of COVID-19. Magic will help us bring a bit of fun into the lives of these children.

ORIGIN STORY

During April 2020, in response to lockdown restrictions, Kevin Quantum decided to build on ten years of creating live magic workshops and start a YouTube channel teaching children various magic tricks with a science twist. Over 30 lessons were created with the assistance of his 7-year-old daughter. Each video taught the participants a magic trick, and also the science behind how it works. The resource received great feedback from children, parents and teachers and was so successful it became part of the BBC Bitesize lockdown learning programme.

The teachers who reached out to us on social media after using the BBC resource had us buzzing with excitement. With investment and expertise, we realised that these magic workshops could progress to become a new virtual creative learning resource that will invigorate and thrill children all over Scotland.

THE END PRODUCT

We now want to make an 8-video digital virtual resource delivered ‘free-to-use’ for Scottish primary schools, community centres and youth groups that ties in with the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. They can be used alone or as part of an 8-lesson course. Children need wonder and escapism now more than ever. Virtual Magic School is safe and accessible, and we believe it will give children joy and much more besides.

GOALS

– To improve children’s well-being and increase access and engagement to the arts and science in a fun way, during a tumultuous period for children.
– We expect a minimum of 50 Scottish schools will use this resource. The average class size is 23.1, meaning we expect to reach 1,155 children in the first year of the project. Access will be free to all schools and community groups in Scotland. We believe that half of the groups using the resource will be in areas of deprivation.
– To fill a demonstrated need from teachers to offer a creative learning resource that helps children get their ‘school head back on’ especially after prolonged lock down and sporadic forced breaks form school.

BENEFITS

– Children aged 6-10 years old in Scotland will greatly benefit from this workshop. There will be a positive impact on attention, concentration, confidence, resilience, motivation and general wellbeing.
– Magic can stimulate a child’s imagination, and develop problem solving skills. Many teachers also acknowledge that due to the wide arena of magic tricks on offer it assists with learning in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
– Teachers want to use this creative learning resource as a way to “get the children’s head back in the way of learning” after the disruption of the pandemic.

AUDIENCE AND DELIVERY

For Virtual Magic School, we canvased 20 teachers from various schools in late 2020 and have pledges from each to use the resource, an additional 30 are very keen. A virtual resource allows potential for an audience of unlimited size. We have plans to contact local authorities in Scotland and also community centre hubs around Scotland.

Funding will allow us to create the videos using Scottish Creative Freelancers and also use the Magic Festival school and community centre contacts to ensure that the resource reaches a wider audience.

ADDITIONAL SPONSOR BENEFITS

– You will be the primary sponsor of this resource
– Logo and text credit at the point of online delivery
– Your Staff’s Children have access to the resource
– Schools of your employees’ children will be contacted in the first wave with information about using the resource

FEEDBACK FROM LIVE ‘MAGIC SCHOOL’

Feedback from teachers regarding impact of “magic school” includes:
“The children felt that the visit was very special, they felt they had been chosen. They are still excited and enthusiastic about the experience. So many things happen in the world that they cannot ‘get to’ but this feels like they somehow were special. It has been a huge confidence boost for them, this is so important. “
Teacher, Niddrie Mill Primary

Article from “the National” that featured “Magic School”
https://www.thenational.scot/news/18090164.magic-school-road-tours-scots-schools-christmas-cheer/

BBC Resource https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k75l