Marie Curie is one of the most famous scientists in history. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and she went on to win another one too! She was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity and made many important discoveries about the nature of atoms and elements.
Here are some interesting facts about Marie Curie that kids will enjoy learning:
1. Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867. Her birth name was Maria Sklodowska, but she changed it to Marie when she moved to France.
2. Marie was a very bright student from a young age, and she was always interested in science. However, as a girl in the 19th century, she was not allowed to attend university in Poland.
3. In 1891, Marie moved to France to study physics and math at the Sorbonne in Paris. She worked hard and graduated with a degree in physics in 1893, and then earned a second degree in math in 1894.
4. In 1894, Marie met Pierre Curie, another scientist at the Sorbonne. They fell in love and got married in 1895.
5. Together, Marie and Pierre began studying radiation and discovered two new elements, polonium and radium. They were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 for their work on radioactivity.
6. After Pierre’s death in 1906, Marie continued to work and conduct important research on radiation. In 1911, she won a second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for her discovery of radium and polonium.
7. During World War I, Marie and her daughter Irène drove ambulances to help injured soldiers. Marie also set up mobile X-ray machines to help doctors treat wounded soldiers more effectively.
8. Marie Curie died in 1934 from leukemia, which was likely caused by her long-term exposure to radiation during her research. Her contributions to science were monumental, and she paved the way for generations of women to enter the field of science and pursue their passions.
9. To honor Marie’s legacy, the International System of Units (SI) officially named the unit of measurement for radioactivity the “curie” in 1960.
Marie Curie was a groundbreaking scientist and a true inspiration to generations of women in science. Her curiosity, perseverance, and dedication to her work continue to inspire children all over the world to pursue their own interests and passions.
