Can you dodge a bullet? How long can you hang from a ledge with just your fingers? Is it possible to pull the tablecloth off of a set table without moving a dish?
Find out all these answers and more, without the risk, at COSI's new Mythbusters exhibit. Through September 2, you can be a part of the Emmy – nominated hit TV show that examines and answers everyday questions and legends.
Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition opened in early June, and is already drawing crowds and great responses from new and old fans of the show alike. The exhibit features everything from props from specific episodes to a live showcase where visitors can be a part of a demonstration to test human reaction time and momentum.
Now in its 10th season, the Discovery channel program Mythbusters uses science to dissect popular myths and legends. Hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage create explosive scenarios to test these myths and classify them as busted, confirmed, or plausible. They often end up in dangerous and dramatic situations, or have cohosts Tory, Kari, and Grant try the myths. Since 2003, the team has performed 792 explosions and destroyed 146 vehicles. The exhibit presents materials and props used to explore different myths, including Buster, the show's stunt dummy, as well as several of the blueprints drawn in each episode.
About this part of the exhibit, Jaclyn Reynolds, Public Relations and Social Media Manager at COSI, says, "You get to see the artifacts they've used on the show. By the time you get through that portion...you're ready to try out those myths, and really become a Mythbuster."
Columbus marks the 4th stop for this traveling exhibit, which started in Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI). MSI, as well as the Mythbusters themselves, were instrumental in developing the exhibit for a tour around the country. "The Mythbusters themselves played a key role in developing this and just giving a little bit of consultation, because they really wanted this exhibition to be a genuine Mythbuster experience," says Reynolds.
The exhibit features videos of the Mythbusters cast explaining the science behind some of the experiments and live interactives. For example, one experiment, which explores how wet you get walking versus running in the rain, reveals how the Mythbusters created a non - staining rain substitute so visitors can tell how "damp" they are using a blacklight.
How does a reality TV show relate to COSI?
"The Mythbusters mix scientific method with gleeful curiosity, which is sort of what we like to do here. That makes for a really great hands on, interactive exhibit," says Reynolds.
Want a closer look? Check out this new exhibit at COSI, and stay tuned to www.wcbe.org to hear more about Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition.
