Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian physician and educator who famously developed an education philosophy still used in many schools today. The Montessori method emphasizes independence, a degree of student autonomy, and learning through action rather than lecture. Montessori spent her later years traveling the world and spreading the ideas of her scientific pedagogy. She was nominated for three Nobel Peace Prizes, but never won.
"If education is always to be conceived along the same antiquated lines of a mere transmission of knowledge, there is little to be hoped from it in the bettering of man's future."
Source: The Absorbent Mind (1949) (via Wikiquote)
In the video below, author Steven Kotler discusses flow states and explains why Montessori students tend to possess an ability to more frequently access higher forms of consciousness.