Get Ready for Fireballs and Explosions at the Franklin Institute’s Dangerously Fun ‘Don’t Try This at Home’ Day
On Friday, August 23rd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Franklin Institute (222 N 20th St.) is turning up the heat — literally. “Caution! Don’t Try This at Home Day” is back with an afternoon of dangerously fun science, where the experiments are bold, the energy is high, and nothing is off-limits (except trying this stuff in your kitchen).
This one-day event is packed with wild demonstrations led by fearless science performers and daring partners who are ready to launch, ignite, and explode their way through the laws of physics and chemistry. If you’re into jaw-dropping spectacles that combine pressure, combustion, and gravity, this is your kind of science.
Here’s what’s on deck:
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A 500-ball blast powered by ultra-cold liquid nitrogen
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A 42-foot messy drop with Jell-O, slime, and maybe a watermelon or two
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A fiery multi-balloon explosion fueled by hydrogen and just the right spark
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Gravity-defying stunts by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts Youth Troupe
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A fire truck experience hosted by the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Prevention and Code Division from 1 to 2 p.m.
Members can enjoy exclusive access to hands-on activities with the Franklin Institute Youth Ambassadors in Pepper Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where the next generation of science leaders will be showing off their skills.
Curiosity is the only thing you need to bring. The Franklin Institute will handle the rest — with a full lineup of unforgettable, high-voltage science on display.
