"As we grow, we end up learning that the really magical things in life have nothing to do with sleight of hand. At Carnegie Science Center, we work with that kind of magic every day—the scientific kind. For kids of all ages, science truly is a magical thing."
- Joanna Haas

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Is there anyone among us who hasn’t been intrigued by magic? You know—the good, old-fashioned kind, where the man on stage makes a rabbit disappear, picks exactly the right card from the deck, or suddenly releases a dove that appeared from…nowhere?

Such is the allure of magic. And it’s something we never really outgrow.

As we do grow, though, we end up learning that the really magical things in life have nothing to do with sleight of hand. At Carnegie Science Center, we work with that kind of magic every day—the scientific kind. For kids of all ages, science truly is a magical thing.

This summer, we’re bridging these two fascinating topics by bringing a one-of-a-kind, interactive exhibit to Pittsburgh, called Magic: The Science of Illusion. Opening June 17, Magic will give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how great illusions are performed. And in the process, would-be magicians of all ages will learn how basic scientific principles have been the foundation of magic from its earliest days.

Don’t worry: We’re not taking away all of the mystery. But we will show, once again, how the magic of science surrounds us every day, in all that we see and do.

Like everything we do at Carnegie Science Center—and at each of the four Carnegie Museums—the Magic exhibit appeals to a fundamental curiosity in each of us, which is the most basic element of learning. Through our exhibits, classes, and special programs at the Science Center, our goal is to constantly engage people of all ages by connecting science and technology with the “cool” stuff in everyday life. And while it can all be quite entertaining, these kinds of activities stand a very good chance of being much more than that. Specifically, they can help move our region toward improved science literacy.

If we do that, we stand a good chance of encouraging young people to seek careers in science-related fields, to ultimately fill the more than 15,000 positions in these fields anticipated in our region over the next decade. And if we do that, it means greater economic stability for our region and a better quality of life for us all.

So you see, there’s a method behind our magic.

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