"Poor is the apprentice who does not surpass his Master.” —Leonardo da Vinci

This week, I graduated a PhD student, and the feeling is strikingly similar to a parent experiencing an empty nest. For years, I've watched him grow, guiding him through intellectual challenges, celebrating milestones, and sometimes pushing them harder than they thought possible. Now, as he steps out into the world, armed with knowledge and ambition, there's an overwhelming mix of pride and poignancy.

It's like watching your child leave home, knowing they're ready but feeling the void their absence creates. The lab, once buzzing with their energy, now feels quieter. Their success is my success, yet their departure leaves a space that's hard to fill. This moment is a testament to our shared journey, the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. As Jake soars, I’m left reflecting on the beauty of mentorship and the inevitable, bittersweet nature of growth and independence.?

"Poor is the apprentice who does not surpass his Master," said Leonardo da Vinci. This resonates deeply as I reflect on my student Jake’s graduation. Watching Jake grow and ultimately surpass my own achievements has been a profound experience. It's a testament, I hope, to successful mentorship, where the ultimate goal is for the student to eclipse the teacher. Jake’s accomplishments are a source of immense pride, affirming that the true measure of my work is his success. As he ventures out, I’m reminded that the highest compliment to a mentor is a student who excels beyond them.

There's consolation in the fact that I’ve already acquired two new graduate students—and they’re both outstanding. Now, just prepare yourself for a similarly melancholic musing in about five years!

Until next time, have a M.A.G.I.C. week!

Brian?

Appearance

The Simons Foundation recently reported on how The Simons Observatory in Chile studies cosmic microwaves to understand the universe's rapid expansion after the Big Bang.

• Telescopes at the observatory are gathering data to prove or disprove the concept of cosmic inflation.
• The observatory aims to uncover clues about the universe's early stages by analyzing light particles.
• Scientists are looking for specific patterns in the cosmic microwave background to support the idea of cosmic inflation.
• The observatory's findings could reveal more about neutrinos, dark matter, and the early universe.
• Collaboration among research groups at the Simons Observatory aims to provide insights into the mysteries of the universe.?

Genius

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Saturn has a HUGE hexagon on its North Pole!

Conversation

Imagine walking into a classroom where the students are the ones driving the discussion. Where curiosity and collaboration have replaced rote memorization. A place where traditional education has been turned on its head, and the power of learning is placed directly in the hands of those who seek it.

It's almost hard to imagine such a classroom after having studied in our current education system, right? But today’s guest on Into the Impossible has turned this unlikely fantasy into a reality by developing an active learning system that engages students rather than just lecturing them.?

Meet Eric Mazur, physicist, educator, and mastermind behind peer instruction. Eric is a professor of physics and applied physics at Harvard University, and today, he’s here to discuss the past, present, and future of our education system.

Click here to watch now!

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