At the age of 12, Suborno Isaac Bari has accomplished what few others have even dared to imagine. Graduating from high school at such a tender age, Suborno is now poised to start his college journey at New York University (NYU) on a full scholarship in August. "It's really just the curiosity and spark of wanting to learn what's behind everything." 

 

Suborno’s extraordinary journey began remarkably early. He spoke his first words at just six months old and had memorized the periodic table by the age of two. "He was always different," said his father, Rashidul Bari. Both Rashidul, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University and high school physics teacher, and his wife, an elementary school teacher working toward her master's degree in early childhood education, recognized their son’s remarkable abilities but did not anticipate the speed at which he would progress through his education.

 

Suborno, who lives with his family on Long Island, felt unchallenged in his early education. He found kindergarten and the beginning of elementary school unstimulating and began to delve into his father's university textbooks, absorbing knowledge through articles and academic videos online. His talents gained public attention early on. At the age of two, he was interviewed by a vice president at the City College of New York, impressing viewers by reciting the periodic table. In 2016, he received a letter of recognition from President Barack Obama, further propelling him into the spotlight.

 

As he continued to excel, Suborno caught the eye of various academic institutions. Mumbai University invited him to be a guest lecturer in physics at age seven, a role he accepted. The pandemic only highlighted his need for a more challenging academic environment. "That was the last straw," he said, referring to the boredom he felt while completing third grade remotely. His enrollment in the Malverne Union Free School District as a fourth-grader quickly revealed his advanced capabilities. School staff noted that his understanding surpassed that of typical students, with comprehension levels akin to a 12th-grader or beyond.

 

"Very quickly, we recognized that he could take on a lot more than your typical child," said Rebecca Gottesman, the district's director of K-12 counseling. The district and Suborno’s parents devised a hybrid educational path for him, balancing advanced coursework with social time among peers his own age. Despite skipping several grades and taking advanced placement classes, Suborno maintained strong social interactions, forming friendships easily and assisting older students with their studies. "Even though he's so bright, he's not intimidating," Gottesman remarked. "He's warm, he's engaging, he wants to help everyone."

 

Suborno’s academic achievements are extraordinary. He passed five AP tests with top scores, graduating with more than the required credits at the age of 12. "It's really hard to do what Suborno did. It's hard to do at 18 years old, forget about doing it at 12. That’s what makes this such an exceptional situation," Gottesman said.

 

Suborno’s journey has not been without challenges. Adjusting to the workload and expectations of higher grades has been demanding. "There's been such dramatic changes going from elementary to middle school, having to handle all the new homework and the scary exams," he acknowledged. However, he embraced these struggles as necessary for growth. Beyond his studies, Suborno enjoys biking, gardening, playing piano, and chess, ensuring he has ample free time for these activities.

 

He began taking college courses last spring, driven by his curiosity and desire to learn. This summer, Suborno is attending in-person classes in physics, ordinary differential equations, and real analysis at various New York institutions. His father supports his educational journey by driving him between campuses. In March, Suborno received his acceptance letter from NYU, where he will be a commuter student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in math and physics. "I feel ready to take on college, not just academically but also socially," he said.

 

Looking ahead, Suborno aspires to become a professor of math and physics, focusing on students with limited access to higher education and academic resources. "That's really my motivation for going into this field," he explained. He credits his family, teachers, and mentors for their roles in his success. His older brother, Refath Bari, also a physics scholar, has been a significant influence and support.

 

Credit: Washington Post 2024-07-12

 

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Wow what a brilliant kid!

Other than a precious few like John von Neumann and Mozart, most prodigies such as this lad end up accomplishing little. Not sure why. Maybe brilliance requires more than good neural circuitry, Inspiration has to be part of it.

42 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

Other than a precious few like John von Neumann and Mozart, most prodigies such as this lad end up accomplishing little. Not sure why. Maybe brilliance requires more than good neural circuitry, Inspiration has to be part of it.

Let’s hope he is able to utilize his gift!

58 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

Other than a precious few like John von Neumann and Mozart, most prodigies such as this lad end up accomplishing little. Not sure why. Maybe brilliance requires more than good neural circuitry, Inspiration has to be part of it.

Sheldon Cooper got the Nobel prize 🙂.

A rare sort of kid...especially nowadays. 🤣

Stories such as this always make me sad - children should be children, and play with toys and mess about with other kids their age, doing childish things. 

 

A child with a precocious ability to memorise and synthesise information does not mean that they have emotional intelligence. I don't believe that they have an advanced ability to rationalise and contextualise life and situations.

 

No wonder, as Walker88 says, few of these prodigies rise to prominence - the pressure they must be under at such a young age must be immense, and very damaging.

9 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Stories such as this always make me sad - children should be children, and play with toys and mess about with other kids their age, doing childish things. 

 

A child with a precocious ability to memorise and synthesise information does not mean that they have emotional intelligence. I don't believe that they have an advanced ability to rationalise and contextualise life and situations.

 

No wonder, as Walker88 says, few of these prodigies rise to prominence - the pressure they must be under at such a young age must be immense, and very damaging.

Prominence does necessarily equate to happiness and success.

Rashidul Bari couldn't rise a son. Excellent parenting!

do we ever hear any invention of these young geniuses ?   the older they get, the less interesting they become...

By Age 2 He Had Memorized The Periodic Table - Now 12 years old heading to college at NYU

Where's that going to get him in this bad world ?

Not going to be the President of th  USA    Or Admiral for the Navy.  

And I bet he doesn't use a smartphone. 

"Even prodigies who avoid burnout and resist social pressures are unlikely to make a big splash as an adult. The problem, notes giftedness researcher Ellen Winner, is that to make a major contribution in the arts, and even the sciences "you need a rebellious spirit and the type of mind that can see new things." Most prodigies, however, are acclaimed not for their innovation but "for doing something that's already been done."

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200511/why-prodigies-fail

I thought the periodic table was something to do with women's periods.