Magnet Tricks: Making Dandelions Bloom with the Invisible Hand of Science
I’m Kuwako Ken, your Science Trainer. Every day is an experiment.
Sprinkle glittering powder onto a “lonely picture of just a stem,” and instantly, a dandelion bursts into full bloom! Sprinkle powder onto a girl’s empty hand, and poof—a vibrant pom-pom appears!
It looks like magic, but of course, there’s a trick. Today, I’m introducing a “science game” using magnets—the true identity of this “magic”—that will captivate both adults and children. The secret lies in an invisible “force.”
Make Flowers Bloom on a Withered Branch?! A Science Game
This is a concept called “Single Age Science,” which I learned in an experimental class taught by science education consultant, Eiji Komori. Although I was told it was for “toddlers,” when I tried it, I found it to be surprisingly profound and captivating for adults as well.
The process is very simple.
① Draw the Picture On a piece of thick paper, draw only the stem and leaves of a dandelion (don’t draw the flower yet).
② Plant the Seed On the back of the drawing, right where you want the flower to bloom, tape a magnet down with cellophane tape.
③ Cast the Spell Sprinkle finely cut pieces of metallic tinsel (made from iron or other materials attracted to magnets) over the drawing…
Just like making flowers bloom on a withered tree, a beautiful “flower” magically appears where there was nothing just a moment ago!
The Magic’s True Identity: The “Invisible Force”
Why does this happen? The secret, of course, is the magnet taped to the back.
A magnet constantly emits “magnetic field lines,” which are invisible lines of force. The area where this force is active is called the “magnetic field.”
This magnetic field can easily pass through materials like paper, plastic, and wood. In short, the magnet stretches its “invisible hand of force” right through the thick paper to the front.
When the metallic tinsel—made of iron or other material attracted to magnets—is introduced, it gets firmly grabbed by this “invisible hand” and gathers only in the exact spot where the magnet is located.
Ideas Can Spark “Art”
While the mechanics are simple, the real fun of this game lies in the “idea”: what to draw on the paper, and where to hide the magnet.
When children are allowed to draw freely, some create fireworks (with sparks spreading from the center of the magnet!), and others draw different kinds of flowers, resulting in wonderful, unique works.
Among them, one drawing created by a seminar participant was truly outstanding!
Ta-da! Amazing, right? (^^)!!
The cheering girl starts with nothing in her hands, but as you sprinkle the metallic powder, dazzling pom-poms instantly materialize!
This perfect combination of the “drawing” and the “magnet’s position” caused the entire room to turn into a photo session (lol).
It’s a small game using a magnet, but by thinking about what you want to “create,” scientific knowledge and creativity connect in a truly explosive way. This is a science game I highly recommend trying at home!
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