One hundred years ago, in 1905, the year when Rotary International was founded, Albert Einstein published five ground-breaking papers in modern physics. Today, after a century of enormous advances, Einstein's 1905 papers remain foundational to the discipline. Einstein's theories and his reputation are also prominent in contemporary minds because, in a profoundly human way, he found meaning not only in the pursuit of physical science knowledge but also in knowledge itself. Einstein won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his 1905 work on the photoelectric effect which proposed that light was quantized into bundles of energy called photons. This work set the foundation for the development of quantum mechanics, and applications of the effect have been instrumental in the development of surface science and application areas such as electron microscopy that makes use of the photoelectric effect to image nanoscale structures. Einstein's work is indeed relevant to one of the most exciting areas of contemporary science and technology - nanotechnology - even after 100 years.

Einstein is mobbed even before the audience enters the auditorium.

Are we going to learn about the Photoelectric or the Photogenic Effect?

Eager teachers and learners even before the exhibition starts - introducing and explaining the exhibits to the delegation from Rotary City Northwest Hong Kong are Mr Stanley Hung and Mrs Iris Sung, teacher advisors of our Interact Club at Fukien Secondary School (Siu Sai Wan).

Student MC's introduce the guests of honorTeacher Xu Siyong of Jinling High School, Nanjing, Prof of Chemistry Jimmy Chai Mei Yu of CUHK, Chief School Development Officer (Hong Kong East) Mr Lam Kwok Keung of Hong Kong SAR Education and Manpower Bureau, Prof of Physics and Department Head Lin Haiqing of CUHK, National Special Certified Physics Teacher Principal Zhang Mouchang, with our host Principal Wong Kwan-yu of Fukien Secondary School (Siu Sai Wan), who deliver speeches in paying tribute to Einstein and award certificates of commendation and participation to students from Fukien and other schools in the district.

The young at heart - it's never too early or too late to think of and pen down the next grand theory.

The opening ceremony.

This is exciting and festive stuff - Vortex Ring Puff Cannon

Teacher Xu conducts the Photoelectric Effect demo almost in an anticlimax to the grand opening ceremony; we are left marveling at Einstein's prophetic vision 100 years ago nonetheless.

We take a break and have a meeting on upcoming activities with our Interactors in the English Corner Room.

Learning and fun at the exhibits.

Interactor poses for the kaleidoscope; how about liquid durian, anyone?

Experiment with sound waves.

Beaming Fukien teachers double as reporters for the day while PP Anthony checks out the formula e=mc2.

Einstein is alleged to have used only 10% of his brain. How about us? 1%, or even less?

More exhibits and inspirations.

Hardworking students of Fukien Secondary School passing on souvenirs to visitors at the school gate on this bright and warm winter morning.


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