Robert Poirper, age 10, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, for his question

WAS LEONARDO DA VINCI A GENIUS?

Without a question, Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the most versatile geniuses in history. His interests and achievements spread into a tremendously wide variety of fields that are usually considered scientific specialties. He was a master in anatomy, astronomy, botany and geology, he designed machines and drew plans for hundreds of inventions. In addition he was also one of the world's greatest painters with his "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper" ranking among the world's most famous pictures ever painted.

Leonardo, as he is also always called, lived from 1452 to 1519. He was born near Florence in central Italy.

Leonardo was an excellent observer. He concerned himself with what the eye could see, rather than with abstract thoughts.