Bill Nye “the Science Guy” lectured to a packed crowd at Ohio State’s Recreation and Physical Activity Center Monday, discussing scientific discoveries that affect the planet and the universe.
Nye’s show got squeals of excitement from women in the front row, and had thousands of fans stomping their feet.
Nye, who has made a career edu-taining kids and young adults about science with his Emmy award-winning TV show, “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” appeared with his recognizable bow tie and gangly physique.
But for Nye, the lecture was a slight departure from his show because it did not feature any eye-popping experiments. Rather, it was a straightforward lecture on the dangers of global warming, the need for conservation and the mysteries of the universe.
Nye said the joy and essence of science is in discovery, and society as a whole has so much more left to discover. He began by speaking about the discoveries that have been made on Mars, such as aquifers – underground water supplies – that could support life.
“Let me tell you my friends, we are living in a time when the world is changing, and understanding other world environments can be very valuable,” Nye said.
Nye addressed global warming, and the “inefficiency of 2007.” He suggested things college students and average people could do to become more energy-efficient on Earth, like becoming more efficient with transportation or using solar power.
“He’s really inspiring, a lot of things that he is saying,” said Eric Pitzer, a senior in Spanish. “We can change the world.”
Towards the end of the lecture, Nye challenged society to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
“We are in the middle of galactic nowhere,” Nye said. “There is no cavalry coming.”
The show was a success for the Ohio Union Activities Board, who offered the show to students free of charge. More than a 1,400 students attended, making it one of the most popular lectures ever presented by OUAB, said Matt Wohlever, OUAB lectures chair.
“We had a great crowd turnout, a very enthusiastic and receptive crowd,” Wohlever said. “Bill Nye gave a great lecture, and he still had all the charisma from his TV show.”
When the event was first announced, OUAB only planned on distributing 750 tickets, but eventually moved the venue to the RPAC for the extra space.
Nye has kept busy since finishing work on his TV show in 1998. He has developed a sundial for the Mars Rover missions, which he displayed during the OSU lecture like a proud father. He has also returned to his alma mater, Cornell University, as a professor.
He continues to thrive in the role as science ambassador.
“I thought it was really funny, a lot different than I expected,” said Samantha Manuel, a freshman in biological engineering. “It was really good, and really enlightening.”
This was OUAB’s final lecture of the school term, but plans will be underway for three lectures each quarter starting in autumn.
Graham Beckwith can be reached at [email protected].
