Sandra Beale on Magic Tricks using STEAM

Mum of three Sandra Beale started Toddler and Early Years STEM sessions when her middle son was 9 months old. He’s 8 now!

What started as entertainment solely for her baby soon grew after visiting friends were amazed at a 9-month-old doing science experiments and wanted their children to participate in the sessions.

Since then, the sessions have grown and have appeared several times on the BBC, BBC Tiny Happy People, BBC Radio, local newspapers and magazines and have been nominated for a STEM Initiative of the Year Award at the Cambridge Science and Technology Awards.

Sandra has already discussed the huge benefits of introducing STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths – to children at a young age, from scientifically correct language to concepts they can learn. In this session she shows us some more STEAM activities, which look just like magic tricks. As Sandra says “it’s just science!”

Sandra shows us how to make ‘dragon’s breath’ with a lit candle and a piece of fresh orange peel; how to relight a candle from a distance; how to demonstrate that an ‘empty’ bottle is actually full of air; pierce a bag full of water with a stick – without spilling a drop; how to make a coin disappear using just a glass of water; and how to turn an ordinary egg silver.

These great experiments will encourage children (and adults!) to think creatively and question the world around them, using simple items that you will almost certainly have already. Prepare to be amazed!

Sandra also discusses a recent visit from their local MP Kemi Badenoch who participated in experiments like magnetic suspension and electromagnets with the children and enjoyed getting involved.

This episode was originally broadcast on the 6th of October, 2023. In the updated version we’ve added a video where you’ll see a group of children with their mums doing Sandra’s STEAM experiments.

This episode was originally broadcast on October 6, 2023.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/sandratoddlersteam/