From Stony Brook Experts Featured on Kids’ Game Show on Stony Brook University News, June 3, 2020.

Several of Stony Brook’s “know-it-alls” are being tested on their expertise — by kids. The Disney+ channel recently launched a streaming educational kids’ show, The Big Fib, featuring experts and rising comedians who engage in a battle of wits on various subjects. The show provides an entertaining way to encourage kids and adults alike to ask the right questions and think for themselves.

In each episode, a comedian tells lies about the subject, the expert tells the truth, and it is up to a child to question the two and decide who is telling “the big fib.” If the child guesses correctly, the fibber is doused in “Fib Foam.” The series currently includes 30 episodes; several members of the Stony Brook University community were invited to take part as guest experts.

Chris Paparo, manager of the Southampton Marine Sciences Center at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and in the photo above, is featured in Episode 5: “Bottom Feeders and Super Heroes.”

“It was nice to be recognized by Disney as an expert,” Paparo said. He serves as the naturalist at the Marine Sciences Center and is a familiar face to the many local schools that visit the facility for field trips in Shinnecock Bay.

Tim Glotch, a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Geosciences, is featured in Episode 3: “Horses and the Moon.”

“This is a great show for kids who are curious about the world and want to be entertained while learning about a really diverse array of subjects,” Glotch said. “I had a great time filming the show and interacting with the cast and crew.”

Deanne Rogers, an associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Geosciences, is featured in Episode 27, “Mars and Sharks.”

Professor Glotch is the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Remote, In Situ, and Synchrotron Studies for Science and Exploration 2 (RISE2) node of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. The RISE2 team is composed of over 60 researchers and students utilizing state of the art laboratory, theory, and field techniques to further NASA’s science and human exploration goals at the Moon, near Earth asteroids, and the Moons of Mars. In addition to his role as PI of RISE2, Professor Glotch is also a Co-Investigator on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Lunar Radiometer instrument and, along with Professor A. Deanne Rogers, a Participating Scientist on the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission.

Lexi Brown, a PhD student in the Department of Ecology and Evolution in the College of Arts and Sciences, is featured in Episode 24, “Bats and Baseball.” Lexi is the daughter of former SoMAS Lecturer Maria Brown.

Greg Metzger, the Chief Field Coordinator for the South Fork Natural History Museum’s Shark Research & Education Program and former SoMAS Adjunct, is also featured in Episode 27, “Mars and Sharks.”

 

The Big Fib is produced and hosted by actress Yvette Nicole Brown, and features actor and comedian Rhys Darby. The first season launched on May 22, 2020 and is available to stream on Disney+.