Bill Nye, TV's popular advocate for science education, returns to Cornell University April 3-12 in his role as a Frank H.T. Rhodes Class of '56 University Professor. He will deliver a public lecture Wednesday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Statler Auditorium.

Nye's lecture, titled "Carbon, Stars and CSI: What Next Might Change the World," is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and are limited to two per person. They will be available beginning Thursday, March 31, at the Willard Straight Hall ticket office on campus.

During his talk, Nye will discuss recent science findings based on his discussions with leading experts in diverse scientific fields – a result of his work for his new television series, "The Eyes of Nye," which will air on PBS starting April 5. Nye also will talk about the decrease in science literacy in the United States and how taxpayers can make informed decisions about the future of science education.

While in Ithaca, Nye also will take part in the Sciencenter's annual Egg Drop Contest Sunday, April 3, at 3 p.m. in Center Ithaca on the Ithaca Commons. And he will sign copies of his latest book, Bill Nye the Science Guy's Dinosaur Dig , Saturday, April 9, at noon at the Museum of the Earth, 1259 Trumansburg Road.

Nye, who was named a Rhodes Class of '56 professor at Cornell in 2001, is a 1977 graduate of Cornell's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He is best known for his weekly, half-hour, Emmy Award-winning television show for children, "Bill Nye, The Science Guy," which aired on PBS from 1992 to 1998.

Nye's new program will be somewhat similar to "The Science Guy" show but will be aimed at a broader age group.

The Rhodes Class of '56 professorships are awarded for a period of one to five years, and appointees are considered full members of the Cornell faculty. The Rhodes professorship program is overseen by the Cornell A.D. White Professors-at-Large Program.