Science center: Illusions, questions in spotlight at Spark STEM fest
'I always try to make it clear to all the kids, I have no superpowers. I'm just a guy who asked a lot of questions,' he said.
Latimer will perform his 'Impossible Science Live' show multiple Saturday, Sunday and Monday during Orlando Science Center's Spark STEM Fest. Expect mind-bending illusions such as the bending of light, molding water into shapes and passing solid objects through other solid objects, he said.
'The reality is all of it is different fields of applied science, and if they [audience members] asked enough questions, I'm sure they could figure it out and they could do it themselves,' he said.
'The cool part about it is, if you don't understand it, it's going to look like magic.'
It's an all-ages show, he said.
'When I roll water into a shape and I hand it to somebody, that's going to be amazing, whether you're 5 or you're 55 or 105,' he said.
Latimer's interest in magic and the sciences behind it started at a show at age 9, he said.
'It blew my mind. I ran out just thinking, what else is possible?' he said. 'As funny as that sounds, I genuinely took that conversation straight into the science lab. So, it's like I wanted to study magic because I wanted to know how things worked, and then I quickly found myself studying science books almost to apply to magic on purpose.'
Latimer's career path weaves from entertainment to education. In 2003, he was awarded the 'best overall' title at the World Championships of Magic. Later, he was a judge on Penn & Teller's 'Wizard Wars' on Skyfy and now co-hosts 'SciJinks' on the Science Channel.
He's currently the curator of Impossible Science at Fleet Science Center in San Diego.
'I'm on this mission to inspire curiosity and wonder,' Latimer said.
One Impossible Science mission is to increase availability.
'We transform gymnasiums and auditoriums into temporary science centers up to 5,000 square feet, and we could do it in two hours,' Lateimer said. 'It's a rapid deployment of a science center.'
It also runs 27 camps for magic and science in rural California.
'We have magicians from New York, magicians from Hawaii, magicians that fly in for these small camps because magicians are starting to realize it doesn't have to be just entertainment,' Latimer said. 'We can use magic to inspire a mystery.'
Many scientific developments – from the light bulb to the theory of relativity – were unknown until someone asked just the right questions, he said.
'It's only impossible if you give up because nobody knows what's ultimately possible,' Latimer said. 'It's a game of how many questions can you ask.'
The Spark STEM Fest showcases disciplines including animation, robotics and engineering using live demonstration and what the science center refers to as 'messy, ooey gooey science experiments.' There are animal encounters, too.
The event spotlights 70 exhibitors such as Lochheed Martin, Florida Space Institute, Surprise Studios, Minorities in Shark Science and UCF's Disability, Aging & Technology Faculty Cluster and its robot dogs.
Spark is included with regular admission to Orlando Science Center, which is $29.99 ($22.99 for ages 2-11). Latimer's show requires an additional $5 ticket. Operating hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Latimer also will be performing at Science Night Live, the adults-only event at the science center on Saturday from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The evening is separately ticketed but will include the features of Spark STEM Fest running as well as the usual museum attractions. Tickets are $20 and available online only.
For tickets and more information, go to OSC.org.
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com
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