Greene uses STEM and storytelling to engage

"Often we think about science as facts wedged between the hard covers of a textbook," Greene said, explaining that science is really about human journeys inspired by passion and in search of truth. "The ultimate message is that we have a real opportunity to transform the way we engage with these ideas .... Science should take its rightful place with theater, art and music as a vital part of what it means to be alive." 

 

Greene, one of the most widely respected physicists of this era, addressed the crowd for more than 60 minutes, speaking without notes and moving animatedly around the stage. He was introduced by Associate Head of School John A. King, Jr., and welcomed by Head of School Penny Townsend.

 

His visit to RE came just a week after the first anniversary of the school's REinventing Excellence campaign, which is designed to transform all of the school's programs while revitalizing the Upper School campus. The campaign was launched at the same venue on Oct. 17, 2017, as another esteemed speaker, Sir Ken Robinson, shared his progressive thinking about education. 

Greene's expertise is in the field of superstring theory, which seeks to provide a quantum theory of gravity along with as a unified theory of all forces and all matter. 

"There's so much we've been able to figure out," he said. "At least it gives you hope that a unified theory and the final laws of physics might be within the brain's grasp."

Greene holds degrees from Harvard University and Oxford University, and is a member of Harvard's Board of Overseers. He is also a bestselling author; Pulitzer Prize finalist for non-fiction; a host of two NOVA miniseries based on his books; and a lecturer who has spoken in 30 countries and whose TED talks have accrued more than seven million views.