Nobel Prize winner says understanding is key to learning
Nobel Laureate in Physics Professor Steven Chu shared his knowledge of scientific discoveries with a group of outstanding sixth formers during a five-day summer school course recently.
The 54-year-old prize-winning scientist was in Hong Kong on a flying visit to give two lectures at the Physics Summer School 2001, organised by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The professor said many students get stuck with their studies because they do not 'internalise' what they read.
'You don't really know that you don't understand it. It is only when you really start explaining to someone that it becomes very clear.
'It also happens when you have to solve a problem and you realise you don't know what to do. But then it's exam time and it's too late,' he explained.
Professor Chu gave a talk on 'Example Of A Path In Science Discovery'.
Pang Kwong-fai, 18, of Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College, was surprised by the Nobel Laureate's openness.
'He is so ordinary, talking about cooking and family life. I'm most inspired by his advice that we should not restrict ourselves to a particular discipline.'
Professor Chu now devotes himself to physics as well as biochemistry.
'It's nice to switch fields,' he said. 'A new problem forces you to start at the beginning so students are not totally poisoned by the dogma [of previous findings]'.
Sally is a summer intern from Hong Kong Baptist University
