{{Short description|American television presenter, author and science teacher}} {{Infobox person | name = Steve Spangler | image = Steve-Spangler-Headshot-2022.jpg | alt = | caption = Spangler in 2019 | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|12|8}} | birth_place = [[Denver, Colorado]], U.S. | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} --> | death_place = | nationality = | other_names = | occupation = Television personality<br/>Author<br/>Science teacher | known_for = Television host DIY Sci<br/>YouTube personality | website = https://stevespangler.com/ }}
'''Steve Spangler''' (born December 8, 1966) is an American television personality, author and STEM teacher.<ref name=speaker>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsaspeaker-magazine.org/nsaspeaker/201204?pg=11&search_term=steve%20spangler&doc_id=-1&search_term=steve%20spangler#pg11|title=Meet the new Mr. Wizard|author=Tim Hyland|publisher=Speaker Magazine|date=April 2012|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727225540/http://www.nsaspeaker-magazine.org/nsaspeaker/201204?pg=11&search_term=steve%20spangler&doc_id=-1&search_term=steve%20spangler#pg11|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the CEO of Steve Spangler Science until 2018 when the company was sold to Really Good Stuff, LLC, a division of Excelligence Learning Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Excelligence Learning Corporation® - News |url=https://www.excelligence.com/news.aspx#twentyq |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=www.excelligence.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beamazing.com/About/Default.aspx|title=Welcome to Be Amazing! Toys|publisher=Be Amazing! Toys|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=12 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812231024/http://beamazing.com/About/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Spangler posted the first [[Diet Coke and Mentos]] video on YouTube in September 2005 and his 2002 televised demonstration of the eruption went viral, launching a chain of several other Diet Coke and Mentos experiment viral videos.<ref name="time">{{cite web |author=Clayton Neuman |date=20 April 2007 |title=The TIME 100 — Are They Worthy? |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100walkup/article/0,28804,1611030_1610841_1609829,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812122940/http://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100walkup/article/0,28804,1611030_1610841_1609829,00.html |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=22 June 2014 |publisher=TIME}}</ref><ref name=9news>{{cite web|url=http://www.9news.com/story/local/2011/08/16/1881132/|title=Steve Spangler|publisher=9 News|date=16 August 2011|accessdate=22 June 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140622165435/http://www.9news.com/story/local/2011/08/16/1881132/|archivedate=22 June 2014}}</ref> He earned two [[Heartland Emmy Awards]] and a total of five Emmy nominations. Spangler is an inductee of the [[National Speakers Association]] Speaker Hall of Fame.<ref name=awards>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/category/honors-and-awards/|title=New Sick Science! Kits Honored with Family Fun Award at New York's Toy Fair|author=Susan Wells|publisher=Steve Spangler Science|date=18 February 2014|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=5 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705012525/http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/category/honors-and-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=emmys97>{{cite web|url=http://emmyawards.tv/awards/archives-nominees-and-winners/list-of-winners-and-nominees/1997-winners/|title=1997 Winners|publisher=The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=1997|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=13 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513021828/http://emmyawards.tv/awards/archives-nominees-and-winners/list-of-winners-and-nominees/1997-winners/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=emmys10>{{cite web|url=http://emmyawards.tv/awards/archives-nominees-and-winners/list-of-winners-and-nominees/2010|title=List of Winner and Nominees|publisher=The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=2010|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208231151/http://emmyawards.tv/awards/archives-nominees-and-winners/list-of-winners-and-nominees/2010/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career==
===Education work=== [[File:Steve Spangler and methane fire at Science in the Rockies 2011 SWC201107088547.jpg|thumb|200px|Steve Spangler igniting methane-filled bubbles in the hands of a young teacher at Science in the Rockies 2011.]] Spangler's career began as a science teacher in the [[Cherry Creek School District]] in Colorado.<ref name="mum2006">{{cite news |date=September 2006 |title=Steve Spangler on Science Magic and Why You're losing Booking to Non-Magicians |publisher=MUM}}</ref>
In 1992, Spangler began working as an adjunct faculty member at the [[Regis University]] in the Department of Chemistry.<ref name=nhosi>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhosi.com/ |title=Winter Science Workshop |publisher=National Hands-on Science Institute |date=2003 |accessdate=22 June 2014 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031018120303/http://www.nhosi.com/ |archivedate=October 18, 2003 }}</ref> He was the Executive Director of the National Hands-on Science Institute until 2001.<ref name=nhosi/>
===Television work=== During his first year of teaching, a producer from the [[Denver|Denver, Colorado]] [[NBC]] affiliate [[KCNC-TV]] offered Spangler a position as a science host on News for Kids<ref name=mum2006/> after seeing him perform a science demonstration show at a public event.<ref name=mum2006/> News for Kids premiered in 1991 and was picked up for national syndication in 1993, airing in 185 cities every Saturday morning.<ref name=mum2006/> After six seasons, Spangler produced 220 segments that featured simple science experiments that viewers could easily recreate at home.
In 2001, Spangler joined the Denver NBC affiliate, [[KUSA-TV]] 9NEWS as their Science Education Contributor.<ref name=9news/><ref name=denverpost2>Al Lewis [http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4613809 Mentos-soda mix a mint for scientist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303214630/http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4613809 |date=2007-03-03 }} Retrieved January 2, 2007.</ref>
The [[Diet Coke and Mentos eruption]] experiment was first televised by Spangler in 2002 and became popular on the Internet in 2005.<ref name=9news/> More than a thousand videos appeared online replicating the experiment.<ref name=9news/> Spangler was nominated for the ''[[Time 100]]'' in 2007 because of the experiment.<ref name=time/> He signed a licensing agreement with [[Perfetti Van Melle]], the maker of MENTOS, in 2006 and developed a line of toys to be used with the experiment.<ref name=speaker/><ref name=denverpost2/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/Toying-with-the-Diet-Coke-and-Mentos-experiment/2100-11395_3-6159137.html|title=Toying with the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment|author=Greg Sandoval|publisher=CNET|date=13 February 2007|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=8 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708014545/http://news.cnet.com/Toying-with-the-Diet-Coke-and-Mentos-experiment/2100-11395_3-6159137.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Other work=== Spangler is the author of seven books: ''Down to a Science'', ''Taming the Tornado Tube'', ''Bounce No Bounce'', ''Fizz Factor'', ''Secret Science'', ''Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes'', ''Fire Bubbles and Exploding Toothpaste''.<ref name=tribune/>
Spangler also runs the Sick Science! YouTube channel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/videos|title=Videos|publisher=Steve Spangler Science|accessdate=August 20, 2014|archive-date=July 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727172852/http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/videos|url-status=live}}</ref> and a [[TikTok]] account.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=@stevespangler on TikTok|url=https://www.tiktok.com/@stevespangler?request_from=server&isUniqueId=true&sec_uid=&adj=609|access-date=2020-11-19|website=TikTok|language=en|archive-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716235017/https://www.tiktok.com/@stevespangler?request_from=server&isUniqueId=true&sec_uid=&adj=609|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Awards== Spangler received a [[Heartland Emmy Awards|Heartland Emmy Award]] in 1997 for his contribution the television program News for Kids. In 2010, he received a Heartland Emmy Award for Spangler Science - Weather and Science Day at Coors Field.<ref name=awards/><ref name=emmys10/> Spangler also received a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for the largest physics lesson.<ref>{{cite web | title=Largest physics lesson | website=Guinness World Records | date=7 May 2009 | url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-physics-lesson | access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>
Spangler was inducted into the [[National Speakers Association|National Speakers Association's]] Speaker Hall of Fame in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsaspeaker.org/community/recognition/cpae-speaker-hall-of-fame/|title=CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame|publisher=National Speakers Association|accessdate=22 June 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811205755/http://www.nsaspeaker.org/community/recognition/cpae-speaker-hall-of-fame/|archivedate=11 August 2015}}</ref>
In October 2011, Spangler was selected as one of 100 initial partners<ref name=spanglereffect>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youtube-tv-channels-kutcher-poehler-254370?page=show YouTube Announces TV Initiative With 100 Niche Channels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501113304/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youtube-tv-channels-kutcher-poehler-254370?page=show |date=2012-05-01 }} Retrieved November 21, 2012</ref> for the [[YouTube Original Channel Initiative]] and received funding for the production of new original programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970203687504577004170200345732?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052970203687504577004170200345732.html|title=YouTube Tees Up Big Talent|author1=Amir Efrati|author2=Lauren A.E. Schuker|publisher=Wall Street Journal|date=29 October 2011|accessdate=22 June 2014}}</ref> Spangler's [[YouTube]] show, The Spangler Effect, debuted February 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/in-the-news/the-spangler-effect-to-debut-on-new-youtube-channel-february-1st/|title=The Spangler Effect to Debut on New YouTube Channel February 1st|author=|publisher=|date=26 January 2012|accessdate=22 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2011/10/28/youtube-original-channels/|title=YouTube Reveals Original Channels|author=Marc Hustvedt|publisher=TubeFilter|date=28 October 2011|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=19 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619221732/http://www.tubefilter.com/2011/10/28/youtube-original-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Steve Spangler was born on December 8, 1966, in [[Denver, Colorado]]. He graduated from the [[University of Colorado Boulder]] with a dual degree in chemistry and humanities in 1989.<ref name=tribune>{{cite news|url=http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/health-science/science-with-flair-q-a-with-educator-steve-spangler-1.1094056|title=Science with flair: Q&A with educator Steve Spangler|author=Ron Davis|newspaper=Scranton Times-Tribune|publisher=The Times Tribune|date=23 January 2011|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084036/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/health-science/science-with-flair-q-a-with-educator-steve-spangler-1.1094056|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://alumni.colorado.edu/wp-content/uploads/coloradan/2007_03/buffalowdown.pdf|title=Mentos provide alum an "exploding" hobby|publisher=The Coloradan|date=March 2007|accessdate=22 June 2014|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085916/http://alumni.colorado.edu/wp-content/uploads/coloradan/2007_03/buffalowdown.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Spangler has three sons.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/2008/12/07/the-family-who-eats-fire-together-sticks-together-growing-up-in-a-family-of-magicians/ | title=The Family Who Eats Fire Together Sticks Together - Growing up in a Family of Magicians | date=8 December 2008 }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.stevespangler.com/ Steve Spangler] *{{IMDb name|2773842}} *[http://www.9news.com/spangler/ Video experiments on 9News] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070303000348/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/1125091221.html?dids=1125091221:1125091221&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+10%2C+2006&author=Patrick+Evans&pub=Toronto+Star&edition=&startpage=D.3&desc=A+blog%2C+a+bottle%2C+a+mint "A blog, a bottle, a mint" - ''Toronto Star'']
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spangler, Steve}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American chief executives]] [[Category:1966 births]] [[Category:American scientists]]