Want to Engage Your Students? Start Teaching Magic in School

Jan. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Can teaching magic tricks in schools help motivate students to learn more about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.)? According to Evan Paquette, an artist-in-residence and popular children’s magician based in NYC, the answer is “Absolutely.”

He continues, "Half the battle is engaging and motivating the students. Once the spark to learn comes from inside the students (and not from the threat of failure), the educational possibilities grow exponentially."  

Paquette has taught in the NYC Public School System and earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Theater from New York University. In addition to his work as an artist-in-residence, he keeps a busy schedule performing magic shows for birthdays, schools and family occasions across New York and the tri-state area.  

Asks Paquette, “Which of the following scenarios makes you want to learn more about chemical structure and polymers? A handout or an interactive demonstration of how you can push a needle through a balloon without popping it?”  

"The process of learning magic can help students develop social-emotional skills, as well," he adds. "In a study conducted by psychologist Richard Wiseman, students who were taught magic were significantly more social and confident than a control group of students who were taught a standard social and health education class."

He concludes,  “Magic teaches important skills that have real-world value: the skills you learn from magic can be an asset when applied both inside and outside the classroom. So go forth and learn a magic trick or two. There's no telling where your journey in magic may lead you!”

For more information about NYC Magician Evan Paquette, visit http://www.MagicEvan.com  To read the full article, visit http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Benefits-of-Learning-Magic&am...