Kari Byron, best known as a host on Discovery Channel’s "Mythbusters" and "The White Rabbit Project" on Netflix, will headline the 2017 Nebraska Science Festival on April 21.
For more than a decade Byron has been a strong presence in the world of reality-based science television. In addition to "Mythbusters" and "The White Rabbit Project," she has gone on to host and produce shows spanning several networks: "Head Rush," "Punkin Chunkin," "LDRS," "Thrill Factor," "Strange Trips" and "America Declassified."
"Kari Byron is a strong advocate of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) programming on television so we’re especially proud to spotlight her in this, our fifth year of the Nebraska Science Festival," said SciFest coordinator Kacie Baum.
The Nebraska Science Festival – scheduled for April 20-29 – will feature an array of science- and technology-related activities in communities across the state with the goal of making science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for all ages.
On April 21, join Byron in a moderated discussion at Joslyn Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall in Omaha. Her 7:30 p.m. presentation is free to the public (but requires a reserved ticket) and is suitable for all ages.
Tickets for the general admission seating to Byron’s presentation will be released on April 1 on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will be released online at Event Brite (four per person); please check nescifest.com for more information. Although the presentation is free, tickets are required for admittance when doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Fostering her curious nature, Byron spent a lifetime acquiring odd skills and interests. After graduating college and traveling the world she decided to settle in San Francisco and pursue a career as a sculptor. Special effects and prop making seemed like a perfect fit.
Trying to break into the field, she got an internship at M5 Industries with Jamie Hyneman. Her first day turned out to be the beginning of "Mythbusters," and a career in television. Though her dream was to be a working artist somehow handling poop, eating bugs, wiring explosives and scraping chicken guts off the ceiling turned out to be her real dream job.
Her passion for smart entertainment has lead her around the world, speaking on the role of STEAM programming on television, as well as hosting science fairs from Silicon Valley to the White House.
Past SciFest speakers have included scientist Bill Nye, "Animal Planet" host and conservationist Jeff Corwan, meteorologist and extreme storm chaser Reed Timmer and most recently, actor LeVar Burton, who discussed merging technology, storytelling and science fiction.
Presented by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. In addition to UNMC, other sponsors, to date, are Nebraska Medicine, Metro Credit Union and media sponsors KETV and the Omaha World-Herald.
In addition to NeSciFest.com, you will find SciFest updates and information on Twitter (@NESciFest) and Facebook (NE SciFest).