Bill Nye Inspires a New Generation of Scientists and Space Explorers at Miraikan

 

On August 6, Bill Nye, best known for inspiring children with his Emmy award-winning educational television show, “Bill Nye the Science Guy”, spoke about space exploration at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo. It was the first time for Nye to hold a public event of this size in Japan. Close to 300 people attended the event with the majority being Japanese students. The event kicked off with an opening speech by Dr. Mamoru Mohri, a Japanese astronaut who flew on two NASA space shuttle missions and the current Executive Director of Miraikan.

In his lecture titled, “The Science Guy: Science Can Save the World!”, Nye discussed how advancements in space exploration and in addressing climate change will affect the future of young people. As the Chief Executive Officer of The Planetary Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing space science and exploration, he stated that Earth was frequently hit by meteors roughly 3 billion years ago. He sought to encourage students to become scientists who would figure out ways to push meteors out of Earth’s way so that we do not face the same fate as the dinosaurs who were finished off by an asteroid impact.

“We don’t want it to happen again”, Nye reiterated. He also lamented that science education is no longer a major part of the American curriculum. During the Q&A session, he addressed the issue of women in the academic field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Since the Earth’s population is made up of half males and half females, he expressed optimism that one day the STEM field will also come to portray a similar ratio. 

Afterward the lecture, Nye conducted a science experiment on air pressure using a fog machine and a vortex cannon – a cardboard box featuring a circular hole. He blew out rings of smoke shaped like doughnuts by tapping the cannon, entertaining the audience.

With his quirky humor and a touch of “edutainment,” Nye inspired a new generation of scientists and space explorers. He was able to share a vision of the future in which everyone has a chance to contribute “to change the world!”

Along with the U.S. Embassy and the U.S.-Japan Council, the event was co-hosted by the U.S. National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Miraikan. It was also supported by the Toshiba International Foundation and The Yomiuri Shimbun.