Camilla Benbow and David Lubinski, Peabody College of Vanderbilt University released a new report that reveals the complex mix of factors that create superior intellectual leaders such as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking: cognitive abilities, educational opportunities, investigative interests and old-fashioned hard work.

“The talent and commitment necessary to develop as a scientific leader require both personal attributes and learning environments that are truly beyond the norm,” study authors Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development, and David Lubinski, professor of psychology, wrote. “Not surprisingly, the personal attributes of future science, mathematics, engineering and technology leaders reveal that it takes much more than exceptional abilities to truly develop exceptional scientific expertise.” (Bold added.)

The report is based on 35 years of research from the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth, a 50-year study that tracks individuals identified as exceptionally gifted at a young age across their lifespan.

Educators, students and parents will find this study worth reviewing, if you have any, even the slightest interest in encouraging development of superior intellectuals.

I wonder how many students with undeveloped superior intellectual abilities attend schools without the support they would use, if encouraged to do so? I'll bet each class (maybe on average?), has at least one such student.

Setting aside more money, smaller classes, more teachers, etc., I wonder what a regular classroom teacher can do to encourage these students to excel to their potential? Perhaps those of us who have to ask this question will not likely succeed in encouraging these students to reach for their potential, in spite of diversions in regular schools? Hmm.

Tablet PC Education Blog