Today’s young scientists will be launching their careers at a time “pregnant with possibilities” for new discoveries, according to Dr. Leon Lederman, a Nobel Laureate in Physics and longtime proponent of science education.

In honor of the World Year of Physics, a global observation of the work of Albert Einstein, An Innovation Odyssey will be showcasing classrooms where technology helps students master understanding of physics and build interest in science. An Innovation Odyssey is an online collection of stories on the Intel® Innovation in Education Web site, about teachers around the world who make effective use of technology in the classroom.

Odyssey features a new classroom project every school day. The entire collection of nearly 400 stories is available for search by grade level, subject area, or type of technology used. To help teachers focus on big ideas in the classroom, Odyssey also groups stories in themes for learning. The newest theme, "In Einstein's Footsteps," will be showcased later in 2005, in honor of Einstein's so-called "Miraculous Year" of 1905. That was the year when the physicist published three of his most significant papers.

For many students, the spark of interest in science begins early in life. That was the case with Lederman, who spoke at a special event in connection with the World Year of Physics and the Intel Science Talent Search earlier this year on the University of Maryland campus. At about age 10, Lederman was recovering from the measles when his father brought home a children’s book written by Einstein. The great physicist "compared science and a detective story. At the end, the detective puts together clues that lead to one logical explanation for the events.” Einstein explained that in science, seemingly disconnected facts also come together into a logical explanation, “and the simpler the explanation, the better. That impressed me,” Lederman said. As he learned more about physics, he said, “it became more beautiful and wonderful.” He won the Nobel Prize in 1988.

Plenty of unknowns remain for today's scientists to discover, Lederman added. He explained that Twentieth Century physics was dominated by two theories: quantum mechanics and relativity. “If you try to put them together, they’re incompatible. Something is wrong with this combination,” he said, suggesting an area ripe for future research.

Teachers who have completed successful classroom projects that use technology to teach about physics—along with other engaging topics—are encouraged to submit their ideas for possible publication in An Innovation Odyssey. An online submission form explains the process for submitting an idea that could lead to a story. Read more