Newton also had the famous quote "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." I was taught that in school as well as the apple story.

Newton also had the famous quote "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." I was taught that in school as well as the apple story. So I think the article is a tad hyperbolic. Unless things have changed considerably when learning about atomic theory you get taught about Thompson, Rutherford and Bohr before you get to Schrodinger. Science is full of examples about building on the work of others. So I don't think kids are given unrealistic expectations that you have to be a genius rogue thinker to make a contribution.