Students at Reno fair get to pick Nobel Prize-winning brains
Some of the most brilliant researchers in the world took questions Tuesday from students attending an international science fair in Reno, ranging from the possible existence of alien life forms to the importance of creativity. 
Students who have exhibits in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair had an opportunity to quiz seven Nobel Prize winners and the winner of the Royal Astronomy Society’s Herschel Medal during a panel discussion moderated by Joe Palca, science correspondent for National Public Radio.
Several of the Nobel Laureates tackled the first question of how to foster creativity in scientific research, but it was Dudley Herschbach’s answer that evoked thundering applause.
Herschbach said creativity has an element of boldness to it, plus the ability to recognize a problem and be willing to approach it in a way that is somewhat unorthodox.
The 1986 chemistry winner then cited the Jesuits’ creed: “It is more blessed to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.”
“The creative person doesn’t worry too much about whether they’re doing it quite legitimately. They’ll worry about being forgiven later, as long as it’s not so bold it throws them off the track,” Herschbach said. Read full story:
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