Nobel Luncheon, Exhibits Inspire High School Physics Students and Teachers

High school physics students and teachers meet and eat with Nobel laureates

Nobelist, teacher and student luncheon attendees.

Dressed in their Sunday high school physics students and teachers from all around the greater Atlanta region and beyond gathered with more than 50 Nobel laureates in physics and chemistry for a special luncheon on Saturday, March 20, just prior to the APS Centennial meeting. The purpose of the event was to promote and highlight the importance of science education, and also to encourage high school physics students to pursue their scientific studies by providing an opportunity to meet and interact with preeminent scientists from around the world.

"The Nobel laureates get A+ on their warmth and cordiality to the students," said Mildred Sharkey, a former high school math teacher and educational consultant with the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing, housed at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "The students were so nervous and excited, their hands were like ice, but the Nobel laureates did everything they could to make it a special time for the kids." Students attended from a 120-mile radius around Atlanta, some of whose parents drove three hours or more to ensure their children didn't miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As a memento of the occasion, each student and teacher received a signed certificate from the Nobel laureate assigned to their table, signifying a symbolic "passing of the baton."