Bill Nye The Science Guy March 8, 2011

Bill Nye, the popular and encyclopedic star of “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” will be the featured speaker for Amarillo College’s 2011 installment of the Distinguished Lecture Series.

The bow-tied Nye will deliver his lecture at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 in the Grand Plaza of the Amarillo Civic Center.

Cost of the event is $5 for AC students and $15 for everybody else, although $50 will get you reserved seating and admittance to a pre-lecture reception (6-7 p.m.) at the Discovery Center. Get tickets by calling 371-5000.

“The Science Guy” originally aired from 1993 to 1997 on PBS Kids. Each episode was formulated to teach a specific topic in science—from gravity to dinosaurs—to a preteen audience. The show won 18 Emmys.

Nye’s online bio states “Bill Nye, scientist, engineer, comedian, author and inventor, is a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society, to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work.”

Today, Nye is executive director of the Planetary Society, the world’s largest space-interest organization, which was begun in 1980 by, among others, Carl Sagan.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is orchestrated each year by AC’s Student Government Association, and proceeds go to student scholarships.

“Our students are very excited to bring one of their childhood heroes to Amarillo,” Heather Atchley, director of student activities, said. “We’re looking forward to having a great crowd and an exciting lecture.”

Official Website: http://www.actx.edu/index.php?module=article&id=308