Zach Karlin, 12, of Manalapan, Wins David Blaine Contest

Manalapan Resident, Age 12, Wins National Contest to Suggest a New Trick for David Blaine

Zach Karlin watched in wonder on April 27 as Mr. Blaine performed
his winning suggestion at the Liberty Science Center Gala

April 30, 2012 – Jersey City, NJ -- Zach Karlin, a resident of Manalapan and student at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, NJ, is the winner of a national contest to suggest a new trick for magician and endurance performer David Blaine to perform underwater.

The student’s suggestion that Mr. Blaine solve a Rubik’s Cube puzzle while submerged caught the attention of the performer as well as of Paul Hoffman, the Center’s president and CEO.  

“Zach’s idea was the winner because as most people know, solving a Rubik’s puzzle underwater while holding your breath means you’d better be fast,” laughs Mr. Hoffman. “Also, as we honored Ernő Rubik, the inventor of the Cube at the Gala, it made sense on that level as well. Others made the same suggestion, but Zach’s entry was first”

Standing near a cylindrical tank of water in which Mr. Blaine had immersed himself along with a small alligator and some fish, Zach watched, amazed and thrilled, as the winning trick was performed.  Two years ago, Mr. Blaine set a world record by holding his breath for more than 17 minutes on the Oprah Show. He is now he is developing an underwater show where he performs many seemingly impossible feats underwater. He recently moved into Liberty Science Center as its magician in residence - most certainly an industry first.

Zach’s winning entry was one of hundreds submitted by people ages 5-65 from across the country. Dana Karlin says, “My son is obsessed with the Rubik’s Cube. There is always one in his hands.”

Rubik’s Cubes are endlessly fascinating and solving the puzzle quickly requires understanding of a basic algorithm. This kind of engaging, fun, thought-provoking activity helps students take an active interest in STEM (science, technology, education and mathematics) activities and fits in with the Science Center’s mission to introduce learners of all ages to the excitement of science and technology.

About Liberty Science Center
Liberty Science Center (LSC.org) is a 300,000-square-foot learning center located in Liberty State Park on the Jersey City bank of the Hudson near the Statue of Liberty. Dedicated to bringing the excitement of science to people of all ages, Liberty Science Center houses seven museum exhibition halls, a 3D theater, the nation’s largest IMAX ^®Dome Theater, live simulcast surgeries, tornado and hurricane-force wind simulators, K-12 classrooms and labs, and teacher-development programs. 600,000 students, teachers, and parents visit the science center each year, and tens of thousands more benefit from the center’s offsite and online programs.

Liberty Science Center ● Liberty State Park ● 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305