Big Manny (Emanuel Wallace ) is a science-first content creator and music artist. With a master’s degree in biomedical science, Manny creates age-friendly and class-friendly content that is entertaining, educational, and experimental. Manny has a combined following of 2.9 million on TikTok and Instagram, has appeared on Blue Peter and regularly collaborates with BBC Bitesize.
Can you share a bit about your journey from studying biomedical science to becoming an author and content creator?
I used to work as a science technician in a secondary school. So I used to set up all the experiments for the students. During lockdown, I realise that students were struggling with science. That's when I started to create some science videos to help students catch up with what they missed out on during a lockdown. I wanted to bridge that knowledge gap which occurred during lockdown. That's how the videos were born!
What has been the most rewarding part of your career in science education?
The most rewarding part is the response that I get from the students, you know, because, for example, the first video that I put out, it was an experiment called squeaky pop test.
Sadé: Yes, I know that test. I've done this test at school!
Yes, students have comment this on my post about doing this test. The reason these videos went viral is that students can relate to it. So yeah!
What is your favourite science activity from your book, and why?
My favourite experiment from the book has to be the red cabbage experiment. You can find out different pH solutions. I just find it crazy that you can use vegetables to determine whether a liquid is acidic or alkaline.
What role do you believe hands-on activities play in science education compared to traditional classroom teaching?
Well, you know what, yeah. The most important would be the experiments, as students like to learn in different ways. One way is visually. Some of them learn through actually watching the experiment, or doing it and actually getting involved. Reason some students learn best is because when they actually see the reaction live, for example bubbling or colour change, seeing that it's going to make them remember the information and retain it.
From there I wanted to write a book as well, because I wanted to cater to people who learn to read and enjoy reading too. Including the audio book as well for people who learn to listen. So I wanted to target all of those different areas of how people learn, you know, with the videos with a visual book for the readers, an audio book for listeners.
What challenges have you faced in making complex scientific concepts accessible and fun?
I would say the food language throughout the book makes it funnier. So I use colloquial terms, like in it, or wagwan. I found it helps with complex content, making it more relatable and approachable for young students. Sometimes when you hear something from someone who is a peer, as opposed to an authority figure, you're going to be more likely to take in the information, because it's coming from a similar level to you.
So that's like the rationale behind the language in the videos, because I want to connect with the young people more so that they will be more likely to take on the information. Obviously I do face challenges, because of the way I speak, which to some is not conventional. It's quite different from how typical scientists present themselves. I think it's good still because it's gonna make young people think like, "oh, what that guy looks like me, he talks like me". "He dresses like me, and he's a scientist." So if he can become a scientist, then what can I do as well? So yeah, man, that's what I think. It's good that we have scientists from all different walks of life for that representation so children can look up to them and aspire to be like that as well.
Quick fire round
What is your most-used emoji?
😁
What is your hidden talent?
I play a little of drums. Yeah. And I produce music as well. I love music production.
Last song you listened to?
I think it was probably a reggae song.