The Tenth Annual 'Hogwarts at Holy Cross' Features 'Slim Goodbody'

WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross presents the 10th annual “Hogwarts at Holy Cross” titled “Biochemistry: Your Body's Magical Spell Book” on Friday, Feb. 1 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Hogan Campus Center Ballroom. The event, intended for the children of Worcester, will feature hands-on science experiments for the whole family and an educational and interactive musical presentation by “Slim Goodbody,” a national promoter of children's health. “Hogwarts at Holy Cross,” sponsored by the College’s Science Ambassadors and the biochemistry concentration, is free and open to the public.

“Seeing the excitement on a child's face as you demonstrate how to extract DNA from strawberries or how to chop a clipboard in half using atmospheric pressure and a piece of newspaper is an experience like no other,” explains Elizabeth Morse ‘09, co-chair of the Science Ambassadors. “Hogwarts is unique because it brings people together from throughout the Worcester community, by connecting students both young and old from across the science disciplines.”

“Hogwarts at Holy Cross” is fashioned after the “potions” classes offered at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter series.  It’s an annual event for the entire Worcester community that includes innovative hands-on science activities for children in pre-K through grade 8, and features an exciting main event/show. The event, which focuses on a unique theme each time it is offered, is held one evening each year and is free to the community.  Organized by the Holy Cross Science Ambassadors, students and faculty develop and host the hands-on activities.

For the last seven years, the Science Ambassadors, a group of over 60 Holy Cross students, have been working with local children to foster an interest in the sciences. They put on science shows for children of all ages throughout the year, both at Holy Cross and at community schools. Hogwarts is their largest and most popular event.

“As a biology student who has loved science since my freshman year of high school, I thoroughly enjoy sharing my enthusiasm with younger students, so they can see how exciting science really is,” says Morse.

The “Slim Goodbody” character was created by John Burstein in 1975 to help him teach healthy living to children. He received his big break when PBS gave him his own television show, The Inside Story. He is now the host of National Bodyology Tour, a show that helps to enrich the K – 12 curriculum. His programs run on over 120 public television station throughout the nation.  He is also the author of more than a dozen children’s books.