2013 Nationals Opening Ceremony Keynote Speaker

[pjgscioisamazing]

Ben Carson remains the best keynote speaker I've heard yet (2008 George Washington University) and the message he gave was profound and inspiring (THINK BIG). It would be amazing if you guys could get him again.

This is an amazing idea. Ben Carson is definitely the best keynote speaker I've heard in my 6 nationals. While the science demonstrations have been fun, his message and method of speaking were amazing. Although if they are to repeat, I would wait until at least 2014/2015 so that anyone who was in 6th/7th grade back in 2008 don't see him again, and he can be saved for a whole new audience

[andrewwski]

Obviously Neil Tyson would be awesome. His going rate would be $50k-$70k, but you may be able to get him to do it for free given the cause. Bill costs a bit more at the going rate, but again, might be able to get him to do it free too.

[Aia]

Ben Carson remains the best keynote speaker I've heard yet (2008 George Washington University) and the message he gave was profound and inspiring (THINK BIG). It would be amazing if you guys could get him again.

I was at Nationals in 2008, and that was one of the best speeches I've ever heard in my life. I'm not sure if you need to wait longer before considering a "repeat" speaker, but it would be so cool if he could speak again!

[Allinea]

Tyson would be awesome. If that goes through, I just hope I actually have a team next year to go to hopefully go to nationals with.

[harryk]

Tyson would be amazing and given his attitude and values I would think he would really like to do it, perhaps for free. I'm also for Michio Kaku and Nye. When you say that the Mythbusters can't do it, is that just Jamie and Adam? Becuase I think Grant Imahara could be good as well

[havenguy]

I think that Salman Khan would be great. I'm sure most of us have watched at least one of his videos, and he does some science stuff too, like Astronomy and Genetics. Also, he looks like a pretty good speaker: http://vimeo.com/11731351

[chalker7]

When you say that the Mythbusters can't do it, is that just Jamie and Adam? Becuase I think Grant Imahara could be good as well

None of them can do it.

[allthatglitters]

I don't have a specific person in mind but some opinions about what does and does not seem to work. Ben Carson is inspirational because of his work, his success and his story. The best speakers are those who have done inspiring things, who have changed their world/profession in a meaningful way and who have great backstories. Less successful for this group are people who have become famous primary for pitching science to kids (The Science Guys or We love Science or Science is Magic) or even translating complex principles to simpler but entertaining ones (as in Myth Busters). This year's speaker was excellent but she is very unusual. She had a great subject matter and obviously is skilled at talking about her science to the lay public. But, generally speaking, I think the audience is beyond the science can be entertaining pitch that you may get with people like The Science Guy. This is a sophisticated science audience and speakers who talk about encouraging kids to enter STEM are misplaced. Better would be someone taking chances in science or forging new territory or looking at intriguing important questions or developing new technology but who can also talk to people (good speaker).

[RBears6]

I think that Salman Khan would be great. I'm sure most of us have watched at least one of his videos, and he does some science stuff too, like Astronomy and Genetics. Also, he looks like a pretty good speaker: http://vimeo.com/11731351

Thats a really good idea. He is really good in explaining topics of math and science. I was also thinking Brian Cox, he is an astronomer and does some really good research in quantum physics.

[number_cruncher]

In 2010, Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs) was the keynote speaker at the National Boy Scout Jamboree. I believe it's out on Youtube. Talk about inspirational without being dry....amazing speaker!!!