Science At The Movies
Ask Magazine for Kids|November/December 2017

A chat with Mika McKinnon, movie science adviser

Thor Wickstrom
Science At The Movies

What do movie makers do when they want to know if methane freezes, or what a black hole looks like? “Quick, get me a scientist!”

Mika McKinnon is a geologist and physicist in Canada. She also works as a science adviser to Hollywood. We asked her about her job and what it’s like teaching science to the movies.

How did you get interested in science?

 I watched way too much Star Trek as a kid. I am a huge fan of science fiction. But when I would ask my mom why the sky was blue, she would make me figure it out, and research it, and actually learn the answers. So I learned that science is something you can do anywhere, anytime.

How did you start working on movies?

This story is from the November/December 2017 edition of Ask Magazine for Kids.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November/December 2017 edition of Ask Magazine for Kids.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ASK MAGAZINE FOR KIDSView All
When a Whale Falls
Ask Magazine for Kids

When a Whale Falls

When an enormous whale dies, its body sinks to the bottom of the ocean. There it provides food for thousands of deep-sea creatures.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2019
The Deepest Dive
Ask Magazine for Kids

The Deepest Dive

In 1872, two scientists set out to study the ocean.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2019
Marie Maps The Sea
Ask Magazine for Kids

Marie Maps The Sea

Young Marie Tharp thought her dad had the best job ever. He traveled around the country, making maps. His maps were special—they revealed hidden things. They showed where different kinds of soil were, and wet and dry places. That helped farmers know what to plant.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2019
Internet Ocean
Ask Magazine for Kids

Internet Ocean

Say you’re curious about giraffes.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2019
Bigger Than The Rules
Ask Magazine for Kids

Bigger Than The Rules

How one tall kid changed the way we play basketball.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2017
Eat This Spoon
Ask Magazine for Kids

Eat This Spoon

Imagine you’re at a picnic, enjoying some spicy noodles and fruit salad. For dessert, you have a slice of cake. Then you top off your meal by eating your fork.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2017
In the Hot Shop
Ask Magazine for Kids

In the Hot Shop

The hot shop at Chicago’s Ignite Glass Studio sizzles with activity.

time-read
3 mins  |
May/June 2017
The Glass Ocean
Ask Magazine for Kids

The Glass Ocean

Peering out from its case in the museum, the little brown octopus looks ready to uncurl its tentacles and glide away. But this octopus isn’t going anywhere. It’s made of glass.

time-read
3 mins  |
May/June 2017
Living Glass
Ask Magazine for Kids

Living Glass

What would you do if your skeleton were made of glass?  Maybe you’d be a sponge.

time-read
2 mins  |
May/June 2017
The Greedy Glass
Ask Magazine for Kids

The Greedy Glass

How many pennies can you add to a completely full glass of water?

time-read
1 min  |
May/June 2017