A member of the audience stands on top of a board on the chest of Steve Russell, who is laying on a bed of nails, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Years ago, Steve Russell and Kobi Shaw, both of Colfax, Wisconsin, attended Ringling Brothers Circus training where they learned skills such as juggling.
The two used a variety of skills Aug. 26 in the Circus Science Spectacular at the Nebraska State Fair. Skills included juggling, magic, and science facts.
The pair first came to the Nebraska State Fair in 2010 to do juggling.
“This is our first time with the Circus Science Spectacular,” Russell said.
Shaw used to teach in an elementary school, and she incorporates skills she used in the elementary school into their presentation, which lasted about 30 minutes.
She said they wanted to make this year’s presentation educational.
“Our summers are very filled up,” Russell said. Shaw said they appear at fairs and at events at schools and libraries.
“We bring science to people in a fun and entertaining way,” Russell said. They try to infuse humor into their presentation, Shaw said. Both adults and youth find the show very entertaining.
The two started their show doing various juggling feats with juggling pins. Russell did some magic tricks. They concluded their show with several feats done using a bed of nails on a board that was about 3 feet by 3 feet. They concluded the show with Russell lying on his back on the bed of nails. A board was placed over his chest, and a member from the audience stood on top of the board.
Steve Russell (left) and Kobi Shaw (right) throw juggling pins to each other and juggle as an audience member stands in between them, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
