May 27, 2025 — As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, Columbus City Schools (CCS) gears up for the best weeks of summer: Summer Experience. There’s no better way to do that than by bringing staff together for a full day of engaging professional development. The event served as both a logistical orientation and a morale boost, particularly for those educators supporting summer learning initiatives. 
Bill Nye the Science Guy, a name that has stood amongst generations associated with zany science experiments and engaging lessons, made an unannounced appearance that sent shockwaves of excitement through the auditorium.
“Everyone was curious, asking, ‘Is this for real?’ Then Bill Nye stepped onto the stage, and a wave of realization washed over us: [Columbus City Schools] truly did this for us!” exclaimed Stephanie Dobbins, a passionate social studies teacher at Marion-Franklin High School.
Bill Nye was introduced to the audience by two Fort Hayes Career Center students: senior Oliver Norman and junior Gracie Booker. Fort Hayes Agribusiness and Environmental Systems Instructor Jeannie Wycinski moderated the live Q&A on stage.
“Meeting Bill Nye was an unbelievable and memorable experience,” Wycinski said. “His excitement and gratitude for education and science is extremely contagious. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget!”
From classrooms to Summer Experience planning sessions, Nye's impact on multiple generations of teachers and students was on full display. For many, the visit wasn’t just a celebrity cameo. Nye’s influence on science education built excitement for the new Summer Experience Pathways offered this summer, Environmental Science and Zoology.
“Our collaborative efforts aim to inspire and invigorate our mission of serving as a bridge that empowers students to recognize their potential as individuals who can design, build, and engage in critical thinking,” said Brianne Pannell from the Division of Extended Learning.
It was a moment of reflection and motivation. Jeffrey Elam of Sherwood Middle School appreciated Nye’s honesty.
“He was candid. He said there’s stuff he wishes he’d done differently in his shows,” said Elam. “So that means as a teacher, I can look back and say, ‘I didn’t do it right then, but let me figure out how to get it right next time.’”
The event sparked excitement and inspiration with educators for the Summer Experience by showcasing the power of STEM education and engaging learning experiences.
“Educators walked away inspired and ready to implement engaging and interactive learning activities in STEM,” Wycinski said.
With the unexpected appearance of a beloved science icon, CCS educators left the professional development session ready for summer and inspired to create an unforgettable experience for students.
