Bill Nye, Gregory Mone host book talk at Costa

Kyra Williams

News Editor

Scientist and novelist Bill Nye and children’s novelist and science journalist Gregory Mone spoke at a free event presented by Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, Manhattan Beach Unified School District, and Pages: a bookstore in the Mira Costa Auditorium on Sept. 13.

The Mira Costa Parent Teacher Student Association sent an email to students and parents with an attached link for the event, which were available through the Brown Paper Tickets website. Seating was limited and the event sold in one hour quickly filling the 1501 seats in the Costa Auditorium, according to Pages Bookstore owner Margot Farris.

“For an event of this size, with so many kids of different ages, I thought it went extremely well.  Every event is always a learning experience, and next go around will be even better,” Farris said.

Nye and Mone discussed their motivation and inspiration behind their new middle-grade book series “Jack and the Geniuses.” After discussing the book, Nye took questions from the audience and shared personal insights into many of the issues he is passionate about today such as climate change and ocean preservation. Following the event, Nye signed books and spoke with his fans.

“The Bill Nye event was organized very well and this was an amazing opportunity provided to us by MBEF,” Junior Emma Krikorian said. “Everyone, along with myself, was ecstatic to hear him speak and give his views on current day issues and scientific explorations; however I was expecting him to incorporate more relating to himself and science rather than just advertising his book.”

At the event Nye and Mone spoke from a presentation suited for third grade and up, according to the MBUSD website. They discussed the future of our planet and ways to save it and help conserve the earth’s resources.

“We were thrilled to be able to bring Bill Nye and Greg Mone to our community in partnership with Pages Bookstore,” MBEF Director of Annual Appeal Hilary Mahan said. “Their enthusiasm for infusing a love of science and inclusion into their book series, ‘Jack and the Geniuses’ is in line with MBEF priorities. The excitement of our community, both young and old, was inspiring.”