On January 23rd, sponsored by the ULSU and GSA, and accompanied by “The Chem Guys”, Bill Nye came and presented at the University of Lethbridge. 

The Bill Nye event was everything promised. It was magical. The Gym was full of spectators including over 1200 elementary school kids for whom, there was no doubt, attendance at this event was a dream come true. The event started on time and included a one-hour real-life chemistry class follow by an hour presentation from Bill Nye himself.

A full audience welcomed the live and captivating demonstration of how “Chemistry is pHun” with the Chem Guys. These demonstrations included volcanic eruptions of various sizes (from lame to one that necessitated 5 extinguishers to put out!), balloons bursting with beautiful colours, color reagents, the creation of nitrous gases and even a little learning (Iike don’t touch nitric acid).

After some small delays, Bill Nye (who we found out is actually named William Nye) came out in full force and started his appearance by filming the ecstatic audience on his iPhone. The talk itself is difficult to review because it encroached on so many important topics. However, through the lens of Bill’s family life, and his father’s love of sundials, we learned about how to make a sundial and how Bill Nye was responsible for a soon-to-be total of 3 sundials on the planet Mars. Through the lens of his family history in World War II, we learned how one prisoner came to be able to escape partially due to his use of science. Through the lens of Bill Nye’s current experiences in science, we learned the extent of global warming that has impacted the globe today as a function on the global population doubling Bill has witnessed in his lifetime. But despite all of these science lessons, it was clear that Bill had one major life lesson he wanted us, the audience and everyone who comes in contact with science, to take home with them: You CAN change the world. Bill challenged us to become the individual who figures out how to slow the warming of the climate – both because we need it (global warming is undeniable) and because it will make you rich! Moreover, Bill challenged each and every one of us to use science EVERYDAY, to make our lives and the lives of those we come in contact better.

I feel lucky to have attended this presentation with a figure-head of the scientific community and I feel motivated by Bill. Thus, Bill Nye, if you read this – Challenge Accepted.

- Miranda L. Abild

If you attended this event and have any favorite quotes you would like to add, please email me at msc.rep@ulgsa.ca and I will put them up! 

Favorite Quotes:

“If you don’t vote, would you at least shut-up?!” (That’s right, from the mouth of Bill Nye himself)

[On the use of a color measuring device to be set to Mars]: “You mean you are going to send a wheel, with a post on it, up to Mars!?? IT”S A SUNDIAL!”

[On the fact that the portion of carbon dioxide on Earths atmosphere has increased from 3 parts per million to 4]: “If you need proof of global warming, THERE IT IS!”

“I’m telling you people, you don’t want to be Venus!”