BILLIONS AND BILLIONS
This 1980 PBS series, hosted by Sagan, became the most widely watched science series in American television history.
What is Cosmos: A Personal Voyage?
Bill Nye's trademark accessory that became iconic on his show—he owns over 300 of them in different colors and patterns.
What is a bow tie?
Your aunt insists turkey makes everyone sleepy because of tryptophan. The real reason people get drowsy after Thanksgiving dinner is this.
What is overeating carbs (and alcohol)? (Turkey has no more tryptophan than chicken or cheese!)
Jane Goodall revolutionized primatology by studying this species in Tanzania, discovering they have complex social behaviors and personalities.
What are chimpanzees?
According to Miller's teenage daughter, this is science communication.
[rolls eyes, turns away, and closes bedroom door]
Sagan's famous 'Pale Blue Dot' photograph was taken by this spacecraft as it was leaving the solar system.
What is Voyager 1?
Bill Nye's catchphrase that ended every episode and is now on t-shirts everywhere: 'Science ____________!'
What is "rules"?
Your cousin claims you must wash the turkey before cooking it to remove bacteria. The CDC actually says this practice does this.
What is spreads bacteria around your kitchen (via splashing)?
Goodall conducted her groundbreaking research at this Tanzanian location, which became famous through her science communication efforts.
What is Gombe Stream (National Park)?
In The Demon-Haunted World, Sagan describes this metaphorical toolkit for critical thinking that includes concepts like Occam's Razor.
What is the Baloney Detection Kit?
Nye's iconic theme song includes this catchy phrase repeated by the backup singers that kids of the 90s can't get out of their heads.
What is "Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!"?
Grandma swears by 'searing the turkey to seal in the juices.' This cooking myth was debunked—searing actually does this instead.
What is creates flavor through the Maillard reaction (but doesn't seal anything)?
Goodall's most famous discovery—chimpanzees using sticks to fish for termites—challenged the scientific definition of this uniquely human trait.
What is tool use?
Sagan co-wrote the paper proposing this catastrophic climate scenario that could follow nuclear war—a phrase that's tragically relevant to science communication about climate change.
What is Nuclear Winter?
In a famous episode, Bill Nye explained that heat is transferred three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. But heat itself moves at this speed.
What is "the speed of heat" (a trick question - heat doesn't have speed, but Bill would say it depends on the method!)?
Uncle Bob says organic cranberries are healthier because they have no chemicals. Your science communication response should address this logical fallacy.
What is the appeal to nature (or "everything is chemicals")?
This magazine funded Goodall's work and published Hugo van Lawick's stunning photographs, making her research accessible to millions—a masterclass in visual science communication.
What is National Geographic?
Complete this Sagan quote from The Demon-Haunted World: "Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of ____________."
What is "spirituality"?
"Now don't try this at home" was usually followed by Bill putting on this essential lab safety equipment.
What are safety goggles?
This famous paleontologist hired Goodall despite her lack of formal training, believing her fresh perspective would make her a better scientific communicator and observer.
Who is Louis Leakey?
According to Miller's wife, this famous director from a galaxy far, far away claimed this didn't exist in space.
Underpants