East London TikToker Emanuel Wallace, known to his 1.9 million followers as Big Manny, believes short-form video content will soon play a role in the national curriculum. The 27-year-old, who explains science experiments in a mix of Jamaican Patois and London slang, gained recognition for making science relatable to younger audiences.
In December, Big Manny was crowned Education Creator of the Year at the TikTok Awards. Speaking about the honour, he called it a testament to perseverance: “Anything you put your mind to, you can achieve.”
Wallace began creating content during the pandemic when online learning surged. Since then, he’s expanded his reach by publishing his debut book, Science Is Lit, in August. He attributes his success to his “unconventional” teaching style, which connects with youth using language reflecting his Jamaican and British heritage. His videos feature experiments like lithium batteries catching fire inside a chicken breast and mixing gold with gallium to produce blue gold.
Big Manny also uses his platform to address social issues. A video supporting an anti-knife campaign, endorsed by Idris Elba, garnered 39 million views, while another about banning disposable vapes reached 4.6 million views.
Wallace hopes his work diversifies the science field. “None of the scientists I learned about looked like me,” he said, aiming to inspire young people, regardless of their backgrounds.
Looking ahead, Wallace plans a second book and hopes to bring his teaching to television. “If I can do it, so can they,” he says, urging youth to “stay curious.”
