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Myths busted? Well, some of them

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Can a human dodge a bullet? Do you get wetter running through the rain or walking? Could you really poke a shark in the eye if it was trying to eat you?

How can you learn the answers to these and other burning questions inspired by popular scientific myths?

At the intersection of fun and curiosity, the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana is hosting “MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition,” which begins Saturday and runs through Sept. 7. Serving to educate in an entertaining way, the center offers action-based attractions that would appeal to any kid, as well as the kid in any adult.

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Based on the Emmy-nominated Discovery Channel program “MythBusters,” the 2-year-old traveling exhibit allows visitors to experiment in a lab that more closely resembles a funhouse. All premises are lifted from the always-amusing, often-hilarious and sometimes-ridiculous reality show featuring a cast of daring pseudo-scientists.

“This is the best way to let people experience what it is to be a MythBuster,” said Kari Byron, the only woman among the five regulars on the show. “It’s a really fun, hands-on experience, and it’s a perfect way for them to experience science. It’s how we experience science. So I think you get the essence of ‘MythBusters’ through this exhibit.”

While there’s no corporate connection between the TV network and the nonprofit science center, the synergy makes sense.

“We’re a total hands-on, fun, engaging museum for kids. And the ‘MythBusters’ exhibit is geared towards that hands-on learning experience,” said science center spokesman Dan Nasitka. “Edu-tainment, almost, where you’re learning and getting entertained at the same time.”

Around two dozen experimental attractions line the 7,000-square-foot space, taking up a little under 20% of the expanding museum. A lively stage show explains the universal scientific method, consisting of a hypothesis tested with an experiment to reach a conclusion.

On stage, audience volunteers are tested to determine if a person can dodge a speeding bullet (in this case, a paintball). Subjects are measured for reaction time based first on a sight cue and then sound.

Spoiler alert: Although light travels faster than sound, the experiment shows that in close quarters, people surprisingly react faster to an audio cue. And yes, it’s possible to dodge a bullet — if you’re far enough away.

Relying on his background in theater production, exhibit creator Geoffrey Curley worked closely with the TV show’s producers as well as cast members to design the attraction.

“We all worked together to try to find the best myths to bring into the museum,” said Curley. “Some of them are new, some of them are myths that weren’t really concluded on the show that we wanted to revisit, and some were just very iconic.”

Can an airplane lift off if it’s traveling on a conveyor belt moving at the same speed in the opposite direction? How well could you drive blind? There’s even a test to see if you can ignite your own human gas. Not kidding.

“People think it’s for their kids,” said Byron, a mother as well as a MythBuster, “and they end up pushing the kids aside and doing it themselves. The grown-ups love it so much.”

Byron has been to a few of the exhibition openings in other cities, although no cast member will be in Santa Ana for this one.

“The most surprising thing for me is how it’s like a vortex,” Byron said. “You think you’re spending 20 minutes and, like, an hour’s gone by.”

If You Go

What: “MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition”

Where: Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Cost: Center admission is $16.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 3 to 14 or seniors 62 and older; additional $10 for “MythBusters” exhibit; $5 discount for exhibit online

Information: (714) 542-2823 or https://www.discoverycube.org

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