Even the nerdy like to live on the edge. Last Thursday, brave Science Club members lined up to willingly light their hands on fire and escape without a single blister or burn. Priyanka Paul ‘17, the student council representative and webmaster of the club, explains the science behind this seemingly dangerous trick.

“We dipped our hands in water and scooped up methane bubbles beforehand, so it wouldn’t burn our hands,” Paul said. “Because methane bubbles are lighter than air, the bubbles are already moving up and off the skin when they’re lit on fire, protecting their hands from any harm.”

Club member Philip Snider ‘19 was amazed to see his hands turned into fireballs.

“It was like magic,” Snider said. “I could feel the heat of the fire radiating on my face, but my hands didn’t hurt at all.”

Snider’s bewilderment was echoed in other members of the club, who lined up again and again to watch as their hands lit up in flames.