Lab-a-cadabra
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About Lab-a-cadabra

Wonder is only the beginning.

We use magic to spark the question, science to uncover the answer, and play to make every young learner want to keep exploring.

Read our storyBring us to you
Sonia Shum leads a Lab-a-cadabra color-changing tea lesson as children raise their hands.

Our mission

STEM through Magic

Since 2025, Lab-a-cadabra has made STEM accessible to young children by teaching science concepts through exciting and interactive magic tricks. We educate and empower future generations, preparing them for a world shaped by new technology and science.

Our program is currently based in Asia and the United States, and we aim to reach more young audiences around the world. We take part in both volunteer and compensated work so that the program can serve communities while continuing to grow.

Portrait of Sonia Shum, founder of Lab-a-cadabra, smiling against a city skyline.

Our founder

Sonia Shum, a.k.a. Dr. Sparks

Sonia is a high-school senior at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. Ever since elementary school, Sonia has loved magic. Inspired by her favorite magician Shin Lim, she often practised card tricks at home.

At school, her favorite subject is science, especially the science of space, from magical stars to black holes. She has pursued that interest as a research intern in university laboratories. Hoping to share her passion, she loves educating younger children, helping to grow their interest in STEM.

Theatre is another one of Sonia's greatest passions. She has performed in many musicals and school productions, and she writes her own plays and songs.

Through Lab-a-cadabra, Sonia brings science, education, theatre, and magic together to teach and entertain. She believes that play is the best way to learn and hopes to use Lab-a-cadabra to empower future generations.

  • Science
  • Education
  • Theatre
  • Magic
  • Play

Founder's journey

From peer tutoring to a travelling science show.

Each experiment, workshop, camp, and creative collaboration has helped Lab-a-cadabra grow into the program it is today.

  1. A young Sonia Shum presents a caterpillar lesson to elementary students.

    2015 - 2022: Early youth education & outreach experiences

  2. Sonia Shum smiles with a student during a high school outreach activity.

    2023 - 2024: Peer tutoring & science outreach in high school (NJ)

  3. Student-built science projects displayed during Sonia Shum’s Big Bang Academy internship.

    2025: STEAM education internship at Big Bang Academy (HK)

  4. Sonia Shum demonstrates a science-and-magic experiment for children in Hong Kong.

    2025: Early testing of Science x Magic workshops (AMEF & SoCO, HK)

  5. Sonia Shum and students in safety goggles watch a foaming science experiment.
    The Magic STEM Bus student team gathers after a high school service event.

    2026: Magic STEM Bus Service Events at high school (NJ)

  6. Hand-drawn Lab-a-cadabra Bus artwork created during the project rebrand.

    2026: Rebranded to Lab-a-cadabra

  7. Sonia Shum performs a science experiment while filming a Lab-a-cadabra video.

    2026: Creation of Lab-a-cadabra Videos

  8. Sonia Shum leads a Lab-a-cadabra Bus workshop at Big Bang Bay Camp in California.

    2026: Lab-a-cadabra Bus Workshops at Big Bang Bay Camp (CA)

  9. Sonia Shum leads a science-and-magic workshop for children during the Asia workshop series.

    2026: Lab-a-cadabra Bus Workshops in Asia (HK, GZ)

  10. Now: Bringing Bus Workshops around the world!

Our story

The lesson that made the magic click.

Sonia has been tutoring elementary-age children in STEM since high school through her school's outreach and peer-tutoring program. During a science camp, where she served as a teaching assistant, she stumbled upon something that would change her teaching approach forever.

She was paired with a seven-year-old student who was eager to learn but easily distracted. No activity or explanation could hold the student's attention for long.

So Sonia tried something different. She tore off a piece of tape, rubbed it against her hair, and announced:

“Watch! I can make your hair fly!”

The student's eyes widened as their own hair floated upward toward the tape. They immediately wanted to know how Sonia had done it.

Sonia explained static electricity. For the rest of the science lesson, the student listened carefully and excitedly showed peers how to levitate paper. The other children became intrigued too, constantly inquiring about what else static electricity could do.

That experience sparked an idea: teaching STEM through magic. It was the perfect way to inspire children and make learning science feel empowering.

Lab-a-cadabra was born.

Our team

The people behind the wonder.

  • Travis Cheng

    Sound & Music Engineer

  • Natalia Cheng

    Marketing Assistant

  • Amber Chan

    Magic & Teaching Assistant

  • James

    Magic & Teaching Assistant

Galaxy-colored science apparatus, playing cards, potions, and magical light from the Lab-a-cadabra Bus.

Upcoming plans

Our next experiments are already taking shape.

  • Pop-up bus shows
  • Outdoor lawn-party bus shows & workshops
  • At-home Magic Science Kits

Join the adventure

Ready to make science feel magical?

Invite the Lab-a-cadabra Bus to your school, camp, program, or community. Contact us to partner or support the mission!

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