Apr

Bill Nye, the Sidedoor Guy

As a kid, Bill Nye spent whole days wandering the halls of Smithsonian museums. Now the Science Guy is back…to find his own blue lab coat and periodic table bowtie on display at the National Museum of American History.

Sidedoor sat down with Bill Nye to get schooled on science education, comedy, and the 1990s hit TV show that turned him into an entire generation’s favorite science teacher.

SIde-by-side composite of Bill Nye on left, Lizzie Peabody on right — *Bill Nye and Lizzie discussing science education, comedy, favorite Smithsonian moments, and all the important tangents.*

Guest

Bill Nye, Science Guy

Long afternoons at the Smithsonian’s museums as a child helped foster Bill Nye’s love of science and learning. These are a few of Bill’s favorite things from the collections:

As a kid, Bill Nye spent whole days wandering the halls of Smithsonian museums. Now the Science Guy is back… to find his own blue lab coat and periodic table bowtie on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Bill Nye poses with smoke he donated to NMAH — Bill Nye gives a thumbs up as he stands with his hallmark blue lab coat, white shirt, and periodic table bow tie in the Objects Conservation Lab at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 2017. The ensemble is now on view as part of the museum’s Entertainment Nation

This episode was produced in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Their exhibition, Entertainment Nation, shows the power of American entertainment to captivate, inspire, and transform. Through the objects and their stories, the ongoing exhibition will explore how, for over 150 years, entertainment has provided a forum for important national conversations about who we are, and who we want to be.

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Links and Extras

See more iconic objects from pop culture history in the new Entertainment Nation exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Bill Nye is currently the CEO of The Planetary Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing space science. Check out their educational resources and at-home kid’s activities.
You can also share the magic of the original Bill Nye the Science Guy series with the young explorers in your life (or just tune in for the nostalgia factor!) with full episodes on billnye.com.
Bill Nye returned to science television in 2022 with The End is Nye, a series that ventures into the most epic catastrophes imaginable to offer ideas for disaster mitigation, prevention, and survival. You can watch The End is Nye on NBC’s Peacock streaming service and join Bill Nye with Smithsonian Associates on May 10 for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series.
Hope for the future of scientific discovery and environmental stewardship inspired the creation of the Smithsonian’s Earth Optimism Initiative! Learn about research and conservation projects from across the globe that are making a positive impact as we work to build a more sustainable future.