PHOTO GALLERY: Harry Potter Magic Comes Alive at Cedar Falls Libraries

Is it a dragon or a dinosaur skull? Is the ceiling of the planetarium really enchanted to look like the night sky, or is that just a projector display? Did that plant actually come back to life with the wave of a wand, or is it biology that made the resurrection fern appear to reanimate?

At Hogwarts Academy on Nov. 12, University of Northern Iowa staff teamed with area librarians to show even Muggles can participate in the magical and that the magical can, in fact, often be found in science.

"It's a little bit of a twist on the normal science education," astronomy professor Siobahn Morgan, 49, said after showing the 30 participating children a tyrannosaurus rex skull and assuring them, "That's just what we tell the Muggles. This is actually a Peruvian snow dragon."

"Do you just hide the wings?" one small voice from the crowd asked.

She nodded and explained, "We don't want the Muggles to be scared."

Children also did experiments in potions class, toured the UNI greenhouses for herbology, discussed constellations in astronomy and learned a little weather science. Or was it weather magic?

The blending of real-world science and history with the magic of J.K. Rowling's beloved books will be further explored in Harry Potter’s World, a traveling exhibit from the U.S. National Library of Medicine that will spend the next six weeks in the Cedar Valley.

The display debuts tonight at UNI's Rod Library with an opening reception at 6 p.m. On Dec. 1, it will move to the Waterloo Public Library, and will be at the Cedar Falls Public Library from Dec. 16 to the end of the year.

The exhibit focuses on the real history behind parts of the Harry Potter universe. For example, did you know Nicholas Flamel, a pivotal character from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was a real person? Or that historical physicians actually used mandrake root in medicine? (Though likely not to awaken people attacked by basilisks, as in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.)

Both Cedar Falls and Waterloo Libraries are also hosting Diagon Alley Parties in December, along with a Horcux Hunt through the end of November. Seven horcuxes are hidden throughout the three participating libraries. Children who follow online clues and find the magical artifacts could win an e-reader.

Original Harry Potter-themed art by both local artists and area children will also be unveiled tonight alongside the traveling exhibit.

In addition to the upcoming events, October saw a tri-wizard tournament at Cedar Falls High School and a quidditch match played by UNI students.

"It's big fun," Nathaniel Harwood, 11, said, sitting by his father, professor Bill Harwood, 53, who acted as Hogwarts Academy potions master. "Harry Potter is a bunch of fun magical adventures that are fun to read."