The Bill Nye and I Project

Are You Ready to Teach Some Science?

Many of you are familiar with Bill Nye, the Science Guy, who teaches scientific concepts to kids through his fun-filled television programs. Now it’s your turn to make a film that teaches science to young people.

Scientific literacy is a requirement for any educated citizen of the 21st century. And to be literate is not merely to know about science; it is the ability to communicate your scientific knowledge to someone who doesn’t know what you know.

In this project, you will research and become an expert on a self-chosen topic in physics or mathematics. And then, with a small group of fellow experts, you will write and produce an educational video that teaches your scientific or mathematical topic to elementary school kids. Finally, you will go out to an elementary classroom here in San Francisco, present your video, and teach your concept to them.

The major products that you will create over this project are:

1. Scientific Independent Research Paper, or SIRP – on a topic in physics or mathematics that you study through a book you have chosen
2. Documentary Educational Film – geared toward elementary school kids, using both film and Flash
3. Guest Lesson – presenting your film and teaching your concept in a San Francisco classroom