Halloween is a holiday that brings out the creativity in people. One of the most iconic symbols of this holiday is the pumpkin, which is often carved into a jack-o'-lantern. But why stop there? Many people take their pumpkin decorating skills to the next level by topping their pumpkins with a witch hat. This simple addition gives the pumpkin a whole new character and adds a touch of whimsy to any Halloween display. The witch hat is a symbol often associated with Halloween and witches in general. It is tall and pointed, usually black in color, and has a wide brim.
It is tall and pointed, usually black in color, and has a wide brim. When placed on top of a pumpkin, it creates a playful and spooky image that is sure to delight trick-or-treaters and party guests alike. To create a pumpkin topped with a witch hat, simply carve or paint your pumpkin as desired and then find a witch hat that is the appropriate size.
Recognizing Ms. Frizzle's Own Magic
I was lucky enough to have some great science teachers – really great – so understand that I am not complaining about the quality of my education when I make the following statement: I can’t remember almost anything about my K-12 science classes. I know that I owe much of my understanding of fundamental science concepts to them, but I can’t remember almost anything about the daily experiences of the classes themselves. The one notable exception is the day that the boy sitting behind me was called on to present something to our biology class and casually swiped my notes from my desk on his way to the front of the room. And the lack of other specific memories may seem insignificant until I mention that I can remember every episode of The Magic School Bus. Every single one.
The show came up recently with a fellow science-communication colleague. In a broader conversation about ways to get kids to connect with science, we ultimately ended up asking if some goals could be achieved with a great set of stories as much as a great program. My colleague immediately started recounting her own formative experiences with Captain Planet. Meanwhile I was lost in my own memories of The Magic School Bus.
For those of you not lucky enough to have had it as part of your childhood, The Magic School Bus was a PBS show that followed Ms. Frizzle and her third-grade class on science-themed shenanigans into space, to the bottom of the ocean, into the past, or even into one student’s digestive tract. The show’s (and books’) impact on me are without question. And based on the reactions I received from other 30-somethings when I dressed up as Ms. Frizzle for Halloween a few years ago, I think I am far from the only one.
In the weeks since that conversation I have been trying to push past the nostalgia and look at the show from the perspective of an adult and a science communicator. And as many books or articles as I have read about the power of storytelling, I have found no more compelling argument than my own experience scrolling through the episode list for a show I had not watched in 20 years. I don’t just remember the “Gets Lost in Space” episode, I can almost see the moment when Janet refuses to get back in the bus without all of the proof she collected from other planets throughout their trip. I can hear Phoebe’s voice saying “at my old school.” I can mentally watch Ms. Frizzle’s face turn red while rowing and holding her breath during her competition against the gym teacher. Frictionless baseball can unfailingly make me smile. I remember the stories.
And I remember that, even though Ms. Frizzle may have been my hero, she was almost never the hero of the day. Looking back, I am amazed at how much she is part of an ensemble. Her role is often to be, in the best possible sense, an enabler. If the kids in her class come up with an idea, she throws herself in with them. She trusts them to make decisions. She doesn’t just observe or instruct. Her tagline doesn’t even include the word science, instead telling her students to, “take chances, make mistakes, get messy!” She happily embraces that her fate is tied to theirs. And when their decisions end up with her getting lost in space or trapped inside a physics book, she trusts them to come to the rescue. That provides the kids with agency, responsibility, and the ability to take actions that really matter.
Creating this kind of adventure story also lets the class break free from the scientific-method/ finding-solutions-to-well-defined-problems narrative that is so tempting to tell. Their plans are imperfect. The bus sometimes malfunctions. They try things that end up not working rather than someone telling them why their approach might be wrong. When the bus shrinks and ends up dumping them on the frictionless baseball field on page 97 of a physics textbook, their first instinct is the very kid-like inclination to play instead of panic. Like so many episodes, Ms. Frizzle plays right along. And like so many episodes, the recognition of a problem and the proposal of solutions comes from the kids rather than the figure of authority in the room.
Perhaps it is tempting to say that kind of kid/adult exploratory ensemble is only possible in a cartoon, but I disagree. It may not be the safest example (PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!), but I know from experience that adults can really take on the role of co-investigator with kids if they are willing to take their eyes off of the plan for a minute. When my brother and I found an old container of shriveled sterno fuel in the basement and asked my dad whether it would light, he told us that he didn’t think it would, but that we could all try. After placing the container in the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket (you know, for safety), leaning over the top to watch (I know), and lighting it - we had an answer. For less than one amazing second, a flame the width of the bucket and taller than any of us burned with a furious glory. And then it was gone. So was much of the hair on one side of my brother’s head and one of his eyebrows, but those grew back. And we definitely learn something. Ms. Frizzle would have been proud – we took chances, made some mistakes, and certainly got messy. And the story will live forever. (PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!)
The views expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Scientific American.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Amanda Baker is a science communicator and outreach advocate. She has a geoscience PhD from Cornell University and has managed open-access, academic journals as well as the outreach journal Frontiers for Young Minds. She is currently writing and editing science content for kids, from curriculum materials to magazines like Smore. She has served as a Science Olympiad national event supervisor and taught a first-year writing seminar on sustainable earth systems while at Cornell. Follow Amanda Baker on Twitter
Recent Articles by Amanda Baker
- To the Angry Grown-Ups in My Town
- The Many Meanings of "I Can't"
- Flour, Butter, Science, Eggs: Recipes as Science Communication
The scientific method wasn't invented by one person, but was developed by different scientists and philosophers over the years. For something that sounds so simple and basic, there are still long scientific papers written about the method and scientists who disagree on exactly the best way to implement it.
The hat can be made out of felt, paper, or even foam, depending on your preference and crafting skills. Attach the hat securely to the top of the pumpkin using adhesive or by carving a small hole for the hat's base to sit in. The result is a fun and festive Halloween decoration that is sure to be a hit. Not only does the witch hat add an extra element of fun to your pumpkin, but it also gives it a clear Halloween theme. While a plain carved jack-o'-lantern is certainly spooky on its own, adding the witch hat takes it to the next level. It instantly transforms the pumpkin into a magical and mischievous character, ready to join in the Halloween festivities. Whether you are hosting a Halloween party, decorating your home, or simply looking for a fun weekend craft project, consider adding a witch hat to your pumpkin display. It is a simple and inexpensive way to make your pumpkin stand out and bring a smile to everyone's faces. So grab your carving tools, find a witch hat, and get ready to create a Halloween pumpkin that is sure to be the talk of the neighborhood..
Reviews for "In the Halloween Spirit: How to Make Witch Hat Pumpkin Decorations"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Halloween pumpkin topped with a witch hat. The pumpkin itself was small and didn't have a fresh smell to it. The hat was poorly made and didn't fit properly on top of the pumpkin. Overall, it didn't look as good as it did in the picture and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Tom - 1 star - I have to say I was extremely dissatisfied with the Halloween pumpkin topped with a witch hat. Firstly, the pumpkin was already starting to rot when it arrived. Secondly, the witch hat was flimsy and made of cheap material. It fell off the pumpkin as soon as I tried to place it on top. It was a waste of money and I won't be purchasing anything like this again.
3. Emma - 2 stars - The Halloween pumpkin topped with a witch hat was not what I expected. The pumpkin itself was oddly shaped and had several blemishes on it. The hat was too big for the pumpkin and didn't stay in place. It looked more like a mismatched combination rather than a festive decoration. I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a well-crafted pumpkin and hat combo.