PHOTOS: Happy Birthday, Bill Nye

WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- Science became a lot more entertaining for children in the 1990s when this guy launched his television show.

Bill Nye turns 57 on Tuesday. Nye grew up in Washington, D.C. with a family that embraced humor. Not only is he a comedian and scientist, butan engineer, author, and inventor.He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, holds three Honorary Doctorate degrees and serves as the Executive Director of The Planetary Society.

According to his website, his mission is to"help foster a scientifically literate society, to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work."

That sounds like a tall order but all that hard work seems to have paid off: his show "Bill Nye the Science Guy"won 18 Emmys in five years and many children and grown-ups alike gained a new appreciation for science.

Nye continues to host television shows, including "The 100 Greatest Discoveries" on the Science Channel, "The Eyes of Nye" on PBS and "Stuff Happens" on Planet Green.

See photos of one of our favorite Science Guys here, courtesy of Getty Images.