This document discusses connecting magic and science through various projects and demonstrations. It introduces Miquel Duran, a professor who promotes using magic to explain complex chemistry concepts. Some of his projects include using magic to explain topics like aromaticity, entropy, and the periodic table. The document discusses how magic can engage students and improve communication skills, while science can create new magical effects. It provides examples of using magic to explain the periodic table and elements at an event.

1. From the Magic of Chemistry
to the Chemistry of Magic
#magsci
#nosic8, Prullans, 7/6/2018
Miquel Duran @miquelduran
Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi
Càtedra de Cultura Científica i Comunicació Digital
Universitat de Girona
Project co-leader in Madrid @fblascoxyz
Current Girona team @judit__torrent @silviasimonr @pepduran

2. #tempsdeflors
#rubikdeflor
Girona, may 2018

3. Let’s start with an enticing song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljsUVDOc
YB0

4. Micro + mini CV
Miquel Duran (@miquelduran aka @quelet)
is professor of Physical Chemistry at the
University of Girona and a researcher in
Quantum Chemistry.
Fostering Internet tools in science
communication, a few years ago a short
course in magic opened him an amazing
world to connect Magic and Science.
He promotes actively Open Knowledge, is
friends with MOOCs, organizes TEDxUdG
events - and rides an MTB in his leisure time.
His preferred quote belongs to "Le Petit
Prince": "Tu sais, quand on est tellement
triste, on aime les couchers de soleil". And
his own “This is me and my digital
circumstances.
Website: http://miquelduran.net
University professor.
Research in Quantum
Chemistry.
Digital Science
Communication,
Magic and Science,
MOOCs,
TEDx events,
Open Knowledge
@miquelduran
Wikipedia
usuari:quelet

5. What is a magician?
• An artist that plays the role of a magician (classic
definition)
• A university professor that plays (or does not play a
all) the role of a university professor (quantum
definition)

6. ART AND SCIENCE: Dalí

7. We like to comunicate science using low-
cost procedures in terms of time, energy,
money, ... And attention
• And we love to explain complex concepts in Science
(and Chemistry indeed) using metaphors,
analoges... And Magic of course
• Examples:
• Aromaticity
• Entropy
• Quantum mechanics
• EPR entangled pairs
• DNA (structure, mutations), proteins

8. Academic projects
• We think that dissemination/science
communication projects, and also education
innovation projectes, should be similar to hard-
research projects: 3 year, competitive, peer-
reviewed, assessed.
• They should give rise to salary rewards and taken
into account in hiring/promotion processes.

9. On Open Knowledge
• We advocate the use of Open Knowledge, Open
Science
• We foster good communication skills by our Ph.D.
students – and all members of the Department of
Chemistry.
• We try to make intelligent use of Internet tools.

10. Clues
• 2015 and 2017 meetings on Science, Magic, and
Education
• 2016, 2017 and 2018 Summer Camp on Magic and
Science, targeted to high schollers and early science
students.
• TEDxUdG and TEDxGironaWomen series of events

11. Magic and Science: the project
• Magic of the Periodic Table (2015)
• Magic of Food (2016)
• Magic of Color (2017)
• WeekDayRings (2017)
• Magic of Rubik’s Cube (2018)
• Magic of the Periodic Table revisited (2019, UNESCO IY)
• Collaboration with Dr. Fernando Blasco, Univ Polit
Madrid, maths professor and mathemagician.

12. Magic and Science?
• Magic useful to understand, engage with, and
promote awareness of, Science.
• Science explains Magic – and provides new effects
and creates new tools.
• Magic allows to improve Communication Skills
• Magic increases self-confidence: against fear of
rejection and fear of failure
• Secrets, Mysteries, and awe

13. A relevant note here:
• Let’s perform games and tricks where the
secret, if ever revealed, leads to a better
experience that attending the magic
performance itself
• That’s what mathematics-based tricks are!

14. The Periodic Table of the
Elements of Yesteryear

16. Periodic Table being told while
solving a Rubik’s Cube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwzHeRT
ofMk

17. “Principes de la chimie” 1869
Dmitri Mendeléiev

18. Periodic Table of the Elements, 2017 Edition

19. • There are all kinds of Periodic Tables – e.g., that of
Jams – However, they are not actually periodic

20. Atomic symbols have one or tw
letters

22. Ge Rb Mo Ag Te La
As Sr Tc Cd I Ce
Se Y Ru In Xe Pr
Br Zr Rh Sn Cs Nd
Kr Nb Pd Sb Ba U

23. S Sc Fe Ga Te La
Cl Ti Co Cd I Ce
Ar V Ni In Xe Pr
K Cr Cu Sn Cs Nd
Ca Mn Zn Sb Ba Es

24. O Al Fe Ga Ru La
F Si Co Zr Rh Ce
Ne P Ni Nb Pd Pr
Na Cr Cu Mo Ag Nd
Mg Mn Zn Tc Ba Lv

25. Be Al Ti Ga Ru I
B Si V Kr Rh Xe
C P Ni Rb Pd Cs
N Ca Cu Sr Ag Nd
Mg Sc Zn Y Te Fl

26. He Na Ti Ga Mo Sb
Li Si V Se Tc Xe
C P Fe Br Pd Cs
N Ar Co Sr Ag Ce
Ne K Zn Y Sn Pr

27. H Na Sc Ga Nb Sb
Li Al V As Tc I
B P Mn Br Rh Cs
N Cl Co Rb Ag La
F K Cu Y In Pr

28. Which chemical element are you?

29. Which is your element?

30. Sun, moon, and the planets

31. What if... You lie a little bit?

32. Façana de la Passió de la Sagrada Família,
dissenyada per l'escultor Josep Maria
Subirachs, mostra un quadrat màgic d'ordre 4

33. Quasi-magical squares

48. What about YOU being the actual
magicians?

50. About your favourite Chemist
• A nice game where your favourite Chemist will help
us find a card freely selected by you.
• A classical Martin Gardner mathematics-based
trick.
[spelling]

51. Looking forward...
• UNESCO International Year of the Periodic Table of
the Elements 2019
• Tetris
• 3-D PTE with cubes, tetris-like
• Connection between PTE and the Rubik’s Cube
analog Pyraminx
• More adaptations and new magical tricks involving
the Table and the Elements

52. Thank you very much!
http://magsci.eu

53. Element telling...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2cfju6GTNs

55. Additional games
• Trip thru the periodic table
• Spelling
• Pb game
• Entropy (metals/nonmetals)

56. Alumini
Hidroge
n
Sofre
Rubidi Urani Heli
Carboni Estronci Bor
Voyage thru the Periodic Table

57. Have you ever mixed colors?

58. Have you ever mixed colors?
http://hesatalentedboy.com/mickey-mouse-chewing-stick/

59. What is entropy?