Plot Synopsis

Host Tim Shaw takes science to the people, conducting a series of man-on-the-street experiments that involve science, physics and engineering. Whether he's challenging weightlifters to pull apart two books, using 200 gallons of water to wash his car in just one second, or setting fire to money soaked in a 3:1 solution of alcohol:water, Shaw asks home viewers to guess the results by providing four possible answers in multiple-choice format before finishing each demonstration. Nat Geo originally aired one half-hour special, "Fire and Water," on June 10, 2013 and a second program, "In the Line of Fire," on November 11, 2013, before broadcasting the official series premiere on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT. In the series premiere, "Sparks Will Fly," Tim generated up to a million volts and gave the Tesla-coil treatment to a pig wrapped in foil at a BBQ. Plus, he challenged bar patrons to get an olive into a wine glass without touching the olive, and then he created a Frankenstein pickle by passing a live current through the pickle. On Monday, March 30, 2015 from 10-11pm ET/PT, this series returned for its second season with a new title, STREET GENIUS, as Nat Geo premiered back-to-back new episodes. In the Season 2 opener, "Shattering Conclusions," Tim explores the explosive qualities of hair products, starter fluid and the oxygen we breathe. Tim's first stop is a barbecue restaurant where he demonstrates what happens when liquid oxygen meets flaming hot coals. Then Tim attempts to get something out of nothing. With the help of a vacuum pump, we see what happens when the air is sucked out of a bottle. Next, Tim enlists the help of four high-rise window cleaners. Their role is simple -- stand on a pane of toughened glass while Tim tries to break it. Then, in the night's second episode (10:30pm), "Falling, Floating, Feasting," Tim hits the Las Vegas streets and shines the spotlight on some incredible science as he tests the sticking power of glue, the kicking power of a rocket boot and the mystifying properties of dry ice. But first, it's man versus hot dog. Find out who can eat the most hot dogs against the clock and how. Later Tim takes time out at a popular restaurant to demonstrate how simple soap bubbles can be a fascinating source of science. Finally, Tim heads to a football stadium to find out if a human goal-kicker can kick farther than the competition of three machine-based alternatives -- a pneumatic boot, an elastic-powered boot and even a rocket boot.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nat Geo premiered the Season 2 finale of STREET GENIUS on Monday, May 18, 2015 at 8:30pm ET/PT. In the season ender, "Human Cannonball," Tim explores why things do what they do by setting up some sensational experiments. First, find out which volatile combination will be enough to fire a life-sized dummy out of a massive cannon -- will it be lumps of dry ice, antacid tablets in water, mints and cola or baking soda and vinegar? Then, Tim shows us how to balance 18 nails on the head of one, explains why you can't eat more than a few crackers in under a minute and demonstrates the best way to separate egg yolks from whites. Finally, Tim takes viewers to the scrap yard for an experiment that seems to bend the laws of gravity.