Latest news with #ScienceGuy
Buzz Feed
23-05-2025
- Science
- Buzz Feed
It's Not *Rocket* Science, But It's Still Science — Can You Match These Periodic Table Symbols To Their Elements?
Whether you grew up watching Bill Nye the Science Guy or learned it the old-fashioned way, memorizing the periodic table was a rite of passage in our high school lives. But with the burden of adulthood and time passing, how many elements do you remember? Could you pass a pop quiz on it today? Let's see!
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill Nye
Credit - Jamie McCarthy—Getty Images Bill Nye did not have much to do with politics during the 1990s, when he was making his celebrated Bill Nye the Science Guy TV series on PBS. But Nye has grown increasingly vocal in his objections to changes, budget cuts, and firings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institutes of Health, NASA, and elsewhere under the Trump Administration. Now he's using his millennial celebrity to speak out. 'If the U.S. is to lead the world, science cannot be suppressed,' he said at the Stand Up For Science rally in Washington, D.C., in March, where he urged people to make their feelings known to lawmakers. In addition to inspiring action, Nye has attracted the ire of the Administration's supporters, including Elon Musk, who criticized him on X. But Nye is not inclined to go quietly. 'Scientists are citizens, and science has always been political,' he tells TIME. 'Where do you apply your intellect and treasure? How do you make decisions on how to spend government resources? What do you require of private industry, of vaccine labs? You need informed policy makers, and they're going to get that information from scientists and engineers.' Write to Jeffrey Kluger at
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PBS, NPR hit with federal funding cuts as Trump cites alleged bias in executive order
The Brief Trump signs executive order cutting $500 million in federal funding for NPR and PBS. White House cites alleged bias, calling the outlets "radical, woke propaganda." Corporation for Public Broadcasting files lawsuit, challenging the cuts. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed an executive order slashing federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), citing alleged bias in their reporting. NPR and PBS have long anticipated the cuts, as the administration has previously targeted programs the president opposes. What we know The White House, in a social media post, announced the signing, saying the outlets "receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news.'" The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), established in 1967, provides $500 million in federal funds to NPR and PBS. While federal dollars are a significant source of revenue, the organizations also rely on viewer donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and programming dues. PBS officials warn the funding cuts will disrupt their mission, affecting millions of children who benefit from educational programs such as Sesame Street, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Other PBS staples like Masterpiece Theatre and Antiques Roadshow have become cultural icons. The CPB filed a lawsuit this week, arguing the president lacks authority to remove board members. Further legal challenges to the executive order could follow. May 1, 2025 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive taxpayer funds through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Unlike in 1967, when the CPB was established, today the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options. Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence. At the very least, Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage. No media outlet has a constitutional right to taxpayer subsidies, and the Government is entitled to determine which categories of activities to subsidize. The CPB's governing statute reflects principles of impartiality: the CPB may not "contribute to or otherwise support any political party." 47 U.S.C. 396(f)(3); see also id. 396(e)(2). The CPB fails to abide by these principles to the extent it subsidizes NPR and PBS. Which viewpoints NPR and PBS promote does not matter. What does matter is that neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens. I therefore instruct the CPB Board of Directors (CPB Board) and all executive departments and agencies (agencies) to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS. Sec. 2. Instructions to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (a) The CPB Board shall cease direct funding to NPR and PBS, consistent with my Administration's policy to ensure that Federal funding does not support biased and partisan news coverage. The CPB Board shall cancel existing direct funding to the maximum extent allowed by law and shall decline to provide future funding. (b) The CPB Board shall cease indirect funding to NPR and PBS, including by ensuring that licensees and permittees of public radio and television stations, as well as any other recipients of CPB funds, do not use Federal funds for NPR and PBS. To effectuate this directive, the CPB Board shall, before June 30, 2025, revise the 2025 Television Community Service Grants General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria and the 2025 Radio Community Service Grants General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria to prohibit direct or indirect funding of NPR and PBS. To the extent permitted by the 2024 Television Community Service Grants General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria, the 2024 Radio Community Service Grants General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria, and applicable law, the CPB Board shall also prohibit parties subject to these provisions from funding NPR or PBS after the date of this order. In addition, the CPB Board shall take all other necessary steps to minimize or eliminate its indirect funding of NPR and PBS. Sec. 3. Instructions to Other Agencies. (a) The heads of all agencies shall identify and terminate, to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, any direct or indirect funding of NPR and PBS. (b) After taking the actions specified in subsection (a) of this section, the heads of all agencies shall identify any remaining grants, contracts, or other funding instruments entered into with NPR or PBS and shall determine whether NPR and PBS are in compliance with the terms of those instruments. In the event of a finding of noncompliance, the head of the relevant agency shall take appropriate steps under the terms of the instrument. (c) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall determine whether "the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio (or any successor organization)" are complying with the statutory mandate that "no person shall be subjected to discrimination in employment . . . on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex." 47 U.S.C. 397(15), 398(b). In the event of a finding of noncompliance, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take appropriate corrective action. Sec. 4. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any agency, person, or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other agencies, persons, or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. The Source Information in this article comes from the White House and the Associated Press.
Voice of America
08-03-2025
- Health
- Voice of America
US researchers and doctors rally for science against Trump cuts
Giving a new meaning to the phrase mad scientists, angry researchers, doctors, their patients and supporters ventured out of labs, hospitals and offices Friday to fight against what they call a blitz on life-saving science by the Trump administration. In the nation's capital, a couple thousand gathered at the Stand Up for Science rally. Organizers said similar rallies were planned in more than 30 U.S. cities. Politicians, scientists, musicians, doctors and their patients made the case that firings, budget and grant cuts in health, climate, science and other research government agencies in the Trump administration's first 47 days in office are endangering not just the future but the present. "This is the most challenging moment I can recall," University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann told the crowd full of signs belittling the intelligence of President Donald Trump, his cost-cutting aide Elon Musk and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "Science is under siege." Astronomer Phil Plait told a booing crowd, "We're looking at the most aggressively anti-science government the United States has ever had." Rally co-organizer Colette Delawalla, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, said, "We're not just going to stand here and take it." Science communicator, entertainer and one-time engineer Bill Nye the Science Guy challenged the forces in government that want to cut and censor science. "What are you afraid of?" he said. U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen challenged the crowd, some in white lab coats if only for show, to live up to the mad scientist moniker: "Everybody in America should be mad about what we are witnessing." The crowd was. Signs read "Edit Elon out of USA's DNA," "Delete DOGE not data," "the only good evidence against evolution is the existence of Trump" and "ticked off epidemiologist." Health and science advances are happening faster than ever, making this a key moment in making people's lives better, said former National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins, who helped map the human genome. The funding cuts put at risk progress on Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and cancer, he said. "It's a very bad time with all the promise and momentum," said Collins. "I'm very worried about my country right now," Collins said before breaking out into an original song on his guitar. Emily Whitehead, the first patient to get a certain new type of treatment for a rare cancer, told the crowd that at age 5 she was sent hospice to die, but CAR T-cell therapy "taught my immune system to beat cancer" and she's been disease free for nearly 13 years. "I stand up for science because science saved my life," Whitehead said. Friday's rally in Washington was at the Lincoln Memorial, in the shadow of a statue of the president who created the nearby National Academy of Sciences in 1863. From 11 million kilometers away from Earth, NASA proved science could divert potentially planet-killing asteroids, former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. On his space shuttle flight nearly 40 years ago, he looked down to Earth and had a "sense of awe that you want to be a better steward of what we've been given," he said. The rallies were organized mostly by graduate students and early career scientists. Dozens of other protests were also planned around the world, including more than 30 in France, Delawalla said. Protesters gathered around City Hall in Philadelphia, home to prestigious, internationally recognized health care institutions and where 1 in 6 doctors in the U.S. has received medical training. "As a doctor, I'm standing up for all of my transgender, nonbinary patients who are also being targeted," said Cedric Bien-Gund, an infectious disease doctor at the University of Pennsylvania. "There's been a lot of fear and silencing, both among our patients and among all our staff. And it's really disheartening to see."
New York Times
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Jaylen Brown and Bill Nye: How this unlikely duo teamed up to launch a new sneaker
BOSTON — There are many ways to measure success: financial goals, public adoration, mastery of a craft. There also is a marker few get to experience. It's the moment of fame when a person can simply declare they want something, and somehow, it finds its way to them. Earlier this season, Jaylen Brown announced to the universe that he wanted to meet one of his idols. It wasn't a fashion icon or a movie star. It was Bill Nye the Science Guy. How can I meet Bill Nye the science guy 🐐 — Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) November 3, 2024 'A lot of people sent it to me: 'Did you see Jaylen Brown's tweet?'' Nye told The Athletic. 'So, my people got in touch with his people, if I can use that expression, and I went to a Washington Wizards game, and we met in the tunnel, if I understand that correctly.' A post shared by Bill Nye (@billnye) 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' was an educational television show that ran on PBS from 1993 to 1999 that helped foster a passion for STEM fields during the ensuing technological revolution of the 21st century. Brown is one of the many adults today whose worldview was shaped by Nye growing up — even if the show was in syndication by the time Brown hit kindergarten. Advertisement As Brown's basketball career developed, he realized he wanted to go about being an NBA star in a distinct way. He spoke out against the sneaker powerhouses and built his own brand, 741 Performance, hosting a formal brand tipoff at Boston's Museum of Science last Friday. But as he was planning the event, he realized something was missing. The evening started with a speech from Brown to a packed theater about the importance of scientific education and his journey to carve out his own space in the sneaker industry. Rapper Ferg (who has dropped the A$AP moniker) then came down to reveal the 'White Noise' colorway of Brown's 741 Rover basketball shoe. Jaylen Brown introduces his 741 'White Noise' sneakers at an event at the Museum of Science in Boston. #Celtics — gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) February 22, 2025 But to make it a true science museum function, you need a star in a lab coat. Enter surprise guest Nye, stage left. 'Good looking guy like (Brown), he asked me to come, so I came!' Nye said with a laugh. Nye and 14-year-old host Jazlyn Guerra, known professionally as Jazzy's World TV, joined Brown for a panel discussion on Brown's initiatives. The stage was a fitting image of three generations of thought leaders: A teenager who built a following for interviewing celebrities before she made it to high school; a basketball player who talks about systemic inequality almost as much as pick-and-roll coverages; and a bowtied TV host who is revered by millions. As the crowd of about 175 people filled the cascading theater to watch the discussion, it quickly turned into Nye giving monologues about Brown's decision to use the evening to shine a light on the importance of education. 'To launch something at this capacity, you only get one shot, and I wanted to do my launch event and make it symbolic,' Brown said. 'I created something and I got all these people here about something that just came from this brain. … Bill made that happen for me, so I'm forever grateful.' Advertisement Though the 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' program claimed to portray a fictionalized version of Nye, it only takes a minute of conversation to see he is the real deal. His boundless energy contrasts sharply with Brown's reserved monotone, but each aims to deliver a similar message in their own ways. 'That's my whole goal, to make learning cool again. That's exactly what Bill Nye was doing,' Brown said. 'I like to use my platform to show things that I think are more important. I get that sports is super important, but so is education. I use my platform to shine a light on that.' After the event ended, Brown brought in youth from his Bridge Program for a private meeting with the hosts. The Bridge Program is an educational initiative Brown founded in partnership with MIT to give minority children access to top-level STEM educational experiences. The Celtics star had kids from his program on stage with him when he signed his Supermax contract two years ago and constantly keeps them involved in the biggest moments of his life. 'When you see the spark in the students' eyes, it's magical,' Nye said. 'Then, the other thing is (Brown is) making the world better for all of us. Saving the world is good.' Nye saw events such as Brown's as the natural evolution to his show decades ago. He cited studies showing that 10-year-olds were the ideal target audience to develop a lifelong passion for science. He aimed to get young viewers excited about science so they would respect and embrace it when they're older and in positions of power. 'It's overwhelming. We made a show in a warehouse in Seattle, and it's taken over the world,' Nye said. 'It's really wonderful, but, of course, we're not done.' Once Brown discovered the power of his voice to influence the youth, he decided he wanted to follow in Nye's footsteps. In light of mentioning on 'The Tonight Show' earlier this month that he'd like to be the next Bill Nye one day, Brown said this night at the museum is just the first step in that plan. Advertisement 'I would love to do some educational content,' Brown said. 'I'm working on some stuff right now that maybe I can turn into a show or something like that. But I would love to do something in the educational space and share my love of learning to the world.' Brown consistently dedicates his time, effort and creativity to his causes, a distinguishing factor for a player of his stature. 'He's trying to get the kids in the communities that he plays in to embrace school and academic achievement, especially science,' Nye said. 'It's really gratifying that he wanted to meet me and share this vision of a better tomorrow through science education. 'I just think it's cool.' (All photos courtesy of the Boston Museum of Science)
