Nobel Laureate preaches revolution of thinking to Swampscott students

SWAMPSCOTT – Nobel Laureate Richard J. Roberts talked more about life lessons than molecular biology at his talk with both Swampscott and Chinese exchange students on Monday afternoon to kick off STEM Week in Swampscott.Roberts, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993 for his discovery of split genes, started his talk by saying that he became interested in chemistry when his father gave him a chemistry set when he was 11 years old. He said his was not one of the “bland, uninteresting” kits that they make for children now, but one that could make explosions and fireworks.Roberts blamed that change on the government. “Politicians decided we needed to be protected from ourselves,” said Roberts. “Kids should be encouraged to do this kind of thing. Life is not risk-free. I?m here to tell you that you should take risks.”The about 60 students who attended the talk in Swampscott Middle School?s library were rapt with attention once they decided Roberts wasn?t just a boring scientist. From his lessons on risk, Roberts encouraged the students to read as much as possible outside of school to enhance creativity. He also said students needed to tune out teachers or any other adults who stifle any kind of challenge to the conventional way of thinking.?A little rebellion is not a bad thing,” he said. “If it doesn?t make sense you should change it.”Roberts even had a special message for the Chinese students in the crowd. “Many Asians are not creative because they almost worship old people,” he said. “People who make a difference are young people.”Roberts said if you look at the list of Nobel Prize winners they are almost all between the ages of 23 and 40. “The creative time in your life is just starting,” he told the crowd of middle school and high school students.Roberts said luck is what landed him at Harvard University where he did his best work, which he said is the only thing that separates a mediocre life from a fabulous one. “If you get anything out of this talk, luck is unbelievably important in life. Everybody has luck. The ones who succeed are the ones that take advantage of it. Make sure you use it to the fullest possible potential.”The best part of winning the Nobel Prize, according to Roberts? “The Swedes really know how to throw a party,” he said, and the students laughed.STEM Week in Swampscott will continue with STEM Family Night on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Cultural Night on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., both at Swampscott High School.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].