Wizards and Muggles alike crowded the main Health Science Center Library on Thursday afternoon.
The grand opening of the “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine” exhibit attracted more than 200 people, including students and families, said Michele Tennant, bioinformatics librarian.
Tennant, 53, who wore a “I AM A MUGGLE” sign on her chest and another that read “REALLY” on her back, smiled to guests as she waved around a blue wand she made at an activity table.
“I feel great because we had no idea this many people were going to show up,” Tennant said.
College students and children gathered to write with invisible ink, shine pennies to look golden and make tea bags float, with Patty Lipka, the program director at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention’s table.
“I am here from the Ministry of Creativity on behalf of Professor McGonagall,” Lipka, 47, said to the 14 people gathered in front of her at one point. “I’ve been instructed that I’m allowed to share magic with muggles.”
They experienced the charm of Harry Potter while learning the basic science principles behind the magic.
“It’s been fun,” Lipka said. “Everything they see in Harry Potter can be seen in science.”
Matthew Bill, an 18-year-old freshman, lights an alcohol-soaked dollar on fire at the potions table during an exhibit at the Health Science Center Library on Thursday.
