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Kari Byron and Grant Imahara from Discovery Channel's "MythBusters" presented at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on April 21 to celebrate 100 years of engineering. The event was made possible by efforts of the UWP Foundation and a grant from the Wilgus Distinguished Lecturer Fund

PLATTEVILLE- Kari Byron and Grant Imahara from Discovery Channel's "MythBusters" presented at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on April 21 to celebrate 100 years of engineering.

Approximately 2,000 people filled Williams Fieldhouse for the event. Tim Zauche, associate professor of chemistry, kicked off the presentation with a chemistry demonstration. Byron and Imahara then talked a little bit about themselves and the "MythBusters" show and answered questions from the emcees, Alesha Kuster, of Potosi and a sophomore in speech communication, and Casey Gales, of Hartford and a senior in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics, and the audience. Attendees were given the opportunity to get autographs and photos following the presentation.

Questions ranged from, "What is your favorite myth," to "What is your favorite cheese." Byron said that her answers change every time someone asks her what is her favorite myth, but some of her favorites were "Exploding Pants," and "Shark Week," when they made a water explosion several hundred feet high with 400 pounds of explosives. Imahara said his favorite myths are the ones that include him building something dangerous, like a sword swinging robot.

The two also talked about the show and how they came to be MythBusters. They work with co-hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, and Tory Belleci on "MythBusters" to test common myths submitted by viewers. Using the scientific method, the team explains and demonstrates whether or not a myth is scientifically possible.

Byron began her career as an artist. A highly skilled sculptor and painter, Byron exhibited at some of San Francisco's leading galleries after graduating from San Francisco State University. She got an internship with Hyneman at M-5 Industries making models and toy prototypes. The first day of her internship was also the first day of the "MythBusters" show. Byron got her start with "MythBusters" when Hyneman needed her assistance for the show that first day. Byron said she was lucky to do sculpture and get paid. She likes that she gets to apply art to science.

"Special effects cross a lot of art and science, especially biology. Engineering and science can cross into any field," said Byron.

Added Imahara, "That's the core of the show, to challenge what you've been told."

Imahara, an electronics and radio control specialist, worked with Hyneman on special effects and then worked directly for Hyneman at M-5 Industries at night. After two offers to audition for the show from Hyneman, Imahara took the opportunity and was selected. Before "MythBusters," Imahara worked for George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic Special Effects Shop. He said that he always had an interest in electrical engineering and it was just a logical step to take. Imahara earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Southern California.

"It was a natural choice to build things and learn to make things and ultimately make my robot army," stated Imahara. Byron and Imahara said that "MythBusters" is different from other science shows because not all the people on the show come from an engineering background.

"We're extremely lucky. Everyone can identify with one of us and that makes the show accessible ... We have a cool fan base. Eight to 80 is our demographic. It's an intelligent crowd. We have the best fans," said Byron.

Added Grant, "It appeals to kids, but it's not a kid show, but they learn science."

Proving or disproving urban legends in the show has been a vehicle to make science accessible to the "MythBusters" audience. According to Byron, the methods used to bust myths are very tedious. They want everything to be real. In fact, "MythBusters" has an entire team of researchers who look up myths, the proper equipment to bust them and get equipment donations.

Byron and Imahara also emphasized, that since the cameras are always rolling, the team’s failures are also shown. However, they said that that is one of things they think makes the show popular.

"We're not a bunch of scientists doing a science show. We're figuring it out with the audience ... Science is expanding your curiosity," said Byron.

Added Imahara, "The show wouldn't be nearly as entertaining (without our failures). Failure is always an option."

Byron and Imahara hope to make science seem "cool" to kids. Imahara said he is doing what he can to make it cool to be a geek and Byron said she aspires to be a geek.

"It (science, technology, engineering and math) is extremely important. We're loosing our engineers of the future. We need a lot more money put into things like high tech high schools," said Bryon.

Near the end of the presentation, while talking about their previous internship and college experiences, Byron gave a piece of advice to all college students.

"Do an internship or co-op. Internships allow you to take risks for anything you're unsure about," stated Byron. The idea to bring in "MythBusters" came out of a brainstorming session with Vector, an organization made up of representatives from all engineering organizations on the UWP campus. The event was made possible by efforts of the UWP Foundation and a grant from the Wilgus Distinguished Lecturer Fund. Former administrator, James Alva Wilgus whom Wilgus Hall is named after, set up the fund to contract distinguished lecturers on campus.

Anyone wanting more information about the "MythBusters" event may contact Dan Winter at winterd@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Dan Winter, (920) 540-0418, winterd@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu