Bill Nye the Science Guy to speak at UF Nov. 21

October 25, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Quirky scientist and comedian Bill Nye will bring his signature bow-tie and mad professor persona to the University of Florida campus Nov. 21.

UF’s student-run ACCENT Speakers Bureau has booked Nye for the event. Most famous for the Emmy Award-winning educational program “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” he is a comedian, actor, writer and scientist.

Nye began his career as a mechanical engineer at Boeing and branched into television with local comedy and a recurring role in “Back to the Future: The Animated Series.” The show’s popularity led to Nye’s biggest role: hosting “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”

More than 100 episodes of the show aired on PBS Kids from 1993 to 1998, each of which taught kids about a different science topic. Nye became famous for his blue lab coat, bow tie, fast-paced action and sense of humor. The show won nineteen Emmy Awards.

These days, Nye frequently appears on talk shows to discuss issues from global warming to nuclear disasters. He has been a leader in several scientific organizations, such as the Planetary Society and has written several books.
Nye will be discussing science, comedy and the story of his career.

The program starts at 8 p.m. at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is free. Student tickets are available for pickup at the Phillips Center Box Office at noon the day before the show (Wednesday, Nov. 20). Any remaining tickets will be made available to the general public beginning at 5 p.m. the day of the show. Photography is not allowed during the program, but press may record and photograph during the first five minutes of remarks.

A sign language interpreter will be present at the show.

Media credentials will be managed through UF News Center. Requests should be sent to Steve Orlando at sfo@ufl.edu before Nov. 19, and should include the name of the person attending, their news organization and telephone and email address.

ACCENT Speakers Bureau is the largest student-run speaker’s bureau in the nation and is an agency of the University of Florida student government. Since its creation in 1967, ACCENT has worked to bring prominent, influential and controversial speakers to the university to enhance students’ education outside the classroom.