Marie Curie, originally named Maria Sklodowska, was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland. She grew up in a family that loved learning. Her dad was a teacher of physics and math, and her mom ran a school for girls. Even though Marie faced tough times, like losing her mom and sister when she was just ten, she was a brilliant student. She finished school at fifteen and got a gold medal for being so smart!
Back then, women couldn’t go to the University of Warsaw, but Marie didn’t give up. She and her sister Bronislawa went to a secret school called the Flying University, where women could learn. They made a plan: Bronislawa would study medicine in France, and Marie would work to help pay for it until she could join her sister.
In 1891, when Marie was 24, she moved to France to go to university. It was tough because she didn’t speak French well and didn’t have much money. She lived in a tiny attic and often didn’t have enough to eat. But Marie was determined and finished her physics degree in 1893 as the best in her class. She also got a chemistry degree in 1894.
While looking for a place to do her experiments, Marie met Pierre Curie, a scientist who let her work in his lab. They fell in love and got married in 1895. They had two daughters, Irene and Eve.
Marie Curie studied uranium and discovered something amazing called “radioactivity.” With Pierre’s help, she found two new elements: polonium and radium. In 1903, Marie became the first woman in Europe to earn a doctorate in physics. She and Pierre won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on radiation.
After Pierre sadly died in an accident in 1906, Marie took over his job at the University of Paris, becoming the first female professor there. In 1911, she won another Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry, making her a superstar scientist.
During World War I, Marie Curie used her knowledge to create mobile x-ray machines that helped doctors treat injured soldiers. Her invention helped over a million soldiers!
After the war, Marie worked hard to raise money for her research, but her health got worse because of her exposure to radiation. She passed away on July 4, 1934, from an illness related to radiation.
Marie Curie’s work changed science forever. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win two in different science fields. Her name lives on in the “curie,” a unit of radioactivity, and the Curie Institute, a top medical research center.
Today, Marie Curie is remembered as one of the greatest scientists ever, inspiring many, especially women, to follow their dreams in science.
Experiment with Radioactivity: Marie Curie discovered radioactivity, which is a fascinating concept. While we can’t experiment with real radioactive materials, you can explore the idea of invisible forces. Try this simple activity: Use a magnet and paper clips to see how the magnet can move the clips without touching them. Discuss with your friends or family how this is similar to the invisible forces Marie Curie studied.
Create a Timeline of Marie Curie’s Life: Use colored paper, markers, and string to create a timeline of Marie Curie’s life. Include important events like her birth, her move to France, her discoveries, and her Nobel Prizes. Hang your timeline in your room or classroom to remind you of her achievements. Think about how her determination helped her overcome challenges.
Interview a Scientist: Imagine you are a reporter and Marie Curie is your interviewee. Write down three questions you would ask her about her life and work. Then, with a friend or family member, role-play the interview. One of you can pretend to be Marie Curie, answering the questions based on what you’ve learned. Discuss how her answers might inspire someone to pursue science today.
