On Monday, science educator, television star and American comedian Bill Nye spoke to a packed audience in the Busch Student Center ballrooms. His presentation focused on environmentally sustainability and discussed how “Saint Louis Univerisity students are going to change the world.”
“Bill Nye is an exciting role model. He made science fun and exciting for me,” freshman Adrienne Edson said. “I waited two hours to see him. I was so excited.”
An hour before his presentation, the lower level of the BSC was packed with an anxious and excited crowd that lined from the ballrooms to the student mailboxes.
When the doors opened, the ballrooms quickly filled to capacity. Some people who arrived late were allowed to watch the presentation from a live video feed in the St. Louis Room courtesy of SLU TV.
In his presentation, Nye highlighted the negative changes that have occurred in our lifetime, such as the increase in the Earth’s carbon dioxide level.
It was also filled with plenty of jokes that kept the audience attentive.
“I thought it was an interesting experience to see him present important issues and get the interest of the whole audience,” freshman Owen Needham said.
After presenting problems and possible solutions, Nye repeated several times “and this is how you can, dare I say it, change the world.”
Some of the problems he presented dealt with fuel efficiency in American cars and effectively using solar panels for electricity.
“I thought he was intelligent and entertaining. He has a way of communicating intelligent ideas in a hysterically amusing fashion,” Edson said.
Following his presentation, members of the audience were allowed to ask questions on key environmental issues.
After the presentation, audience members lined the third floor hallways of the BSC to meet Nye. Nye took pictures and signed items for members of the audience in the St. Louis Room.
The presentation and reception was sponsored by the Great Issues Committee, SLU Environmental Task Force, Just Earth! and the Student Government Association.
Nye is known from his educational television program titled “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” a program he hosted from 1993-1997.
He is currently the host of two television programs called “The 100 Greatest Discoveries” airing on the Science Channel and “The Eyes of Nye” airing on PBS.
