Proposal No. ESIE 94-53816 Proposal Name: BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY PI: Elizabeth Brock Total NSF Award: $2,879,200 Anticipated Completion Date: 1994/95 ABSTRACT KCTS has received support for the production and outreach for the second season of "Bill Nye the Science Guy." Each program in the 39 program series will focus on a single science theme developed around two or three learning outcomes and is presented with a fast and colorful pace and style suited for today's generation of nine and ten year old viewers. The host, Bill Nye, joins viewers and guests as they explore science topics in his laboratories and in field locations. Children also will perform on-camera experiments in a home setting. In most shows, guest scientists and celebrities, selected to ensure a diverse representation, will be featured. Segments in the programs include: "Check it Out" a small experiment performed in the lab or at home by child actors. "Try This at Home" an experiment viewers may attempt at home after receiving instructions on the air. "Way Cool Scientist" a scientist demonstrating his or her work as it relates to the topic of the program. "Music Video Parody" video tailored to popular music genres such as rap or "grunge" or pop music. "Consider the Following" Bill presents a concept to the viewer in a one on one segment. "Big Demonstration" Bill, in the laboratory, uses equipment to demonstrate an element of the theme. "Celebrity Cameos" featuring both teen and adult celebrities with a high recognition factor. "Fake commercials" like the music videos, humor ous parodies of advertising. Outreach for the second season will include a quarterly newsletter to be mailed to viewers homes. This eight page newsletter will include regular columns such as "Ask Bill" and "Try this at Home." It will be designed to appeal to children ages 8 to 12 and will contain a column for parents. During the second season, at-home science kits will again be available to viewers. These free kits will enable children and their families to perform scientific experiments together at home. The video series will be produced by McKenna/Gottlieb Producers Inc. and KCTS Television and will be syndicated for broadcast by Buena Vista Television (the syndication division of Disney Productions). The second season also will be broadcast daily on PBS. This will give the series a presence on both public broadcasting and on commercial television in many markets. Buena Vista Television will provide $3,000,000 toward the production budget and PBS will provide $2,000,000 for production. KCTS is seeking a corporate underwriter to provide $1,000,000 for additional outreach and promotion. Elizabeth Brock of KCTS will be Executive in Charge of the project. Bill Nye is the principal science writer for the series as well as host of the series. The series producers will be Erren Gottlieb and James E. McKenna. These four people will serve as Co-PI's of the project. The advisory committee consists of scientists, science educators, evaluators, and curriculum developers. Members include: H. Prentice Baptiste, Arthur B. Ellis, Caroline Herzenberg, Gilbert S. Omenn, Senta A. Raizen, Matthew H. Schneps, Paul H. Williams, Carole Ann Kubota, and Sally Luttrell-Montes.
