After stepping through Platform 9 ¾, it wasn’t long before the droves of children and their chaperones were whisked away to Hogwarts. It sounds like something out of the Harry Potter series or possibly even Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
But this magical scene occurred right on campus at Idaho State University’s Museum Building in the Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH).
Saturday, Oct. 27, the IMNH hosted “Muggle Magic: Real Science from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” The event, which ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featured interactive exhibits including Mythical Creatures, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Quidditch, Potions and more.
“It’s been great seeing everyone come together and see how much fun they had,” said Kelly Pokorny, education resources coordinator for the IMNH Educational Resources Program.
“I didn’t realize how much of a phenomenon Harry Potter is,” she said.
Pokorny said planning for the event began in August, although it started off much differently than the event held Saturday.
“When we started advertising and seeing community partners’ response , we realized there would be a larger crowd than we first anticipated,” she said.
The IMNH worked with partners such as ISU College of Technology’s Law Enforcement program, the Pocatello Zoo and the ISU Department of Mass Communication.
Employees from the Pocatello Zoo manned a station featuring a small python and a tortoise. The animals were part of the Mythical Creatures “class,” which used fossils to liken fossilized creatures like short-faced bears, whales and elephants to the mythical creatures of Harry Potter, such as giants, dragons and Cyclops, respectively.
Utilizing existing museum artifacts like traditional Native American weapons, presenters taught the visiting muggle children how to defend themselves against Dark Arts with tools like spears and bows and arrows.
“As muggles we can’t use wands to protect ourselves,” explained station presenter Nick Holmer, research associate at the IMNH’s Idaho Virtualization Laboratory.
An arts and crafts-esque portion of the event allowed attendees to participate in Potions class, where they created a flesh-eating slug repellant and a concoction known as Snape’s Slime.
“It’s my favorite,” said Sydney van Buren, a sophomore working at the Potions station. “It’s kind of like a big old booger.”
At the Owlery, attendees had the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet, the compressed bone, fur and other prey waste that owls regurgitate due to their inability to digest it.
Muggles also received their very own wand in the Herbology portion of the exhibit.
While “Muggle Magic” offered plenty of magical opportunities for those in attendance, it also allowed museum employees to indulge in their love of Harry Potter.
“The best part was just getting to completely nerd out,” said junior Lilly Lafortuna, a museum employee.
Pokorny said she anticipates making “Muggle Magic” an annual event, in addition to several other events that the IMNH’s Educational Resources Program is planning.
“We’re working hard to gain exposure,” said Pokorny. She can be reached at www.facebook.com/imnhedcenter.