Have you ever wondered why some things glow in the dark, like the numbers on a clock or exit signs? This glow is because of something called radioactivity. Radioactivity is when tiny parts of atoms, called nuclei, lose energy and send out rays and particles. This amazing discovery is linked to a brilliant scientist named Marie Curie.
Marie Curie was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland. She was a scientist who studied physics and chemistry and made important discoveries about radioactivity. Even though it was hard for women to get an education back then, Marie was determined to learn and make a difference.
Marie’s father was a teacher, but she didn’t go to school when she was little. When she finally did, she was very smart. However, the University of Warsaw didn’t allow women to study there. Marie and her sister Bronislava made a plan: Bronislava would study medicine in France, and Marie would work to support her.
After working hard as a governess, Marie moved to France in 1891 to study. She was a top student and earned degrees in physics and chemistry with high honors.
In France, Marie met Pierre Curie, and they got married. Together, they became a great team in science. Marie was also a mom to two daughters, Irène and Ève, but she never gave up on her dream of being a top scientist. She studied uranium, a material that gives off rays that can go through metals, and she named this process “radioactivity.” In 1903, Marie became the first woman in Europe to earn a PhD in science, and she and Pierre won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on radioactivity.
After winning the Nobel Prize, Pierre became a professor, but universities were still not welcoming to women. When Pierre sadly passed away in 1906, Marie took his place and became the first female professor at the University of Paris. In 1911, she won another Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for discovering radium and polonium. She is the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different science fields.
During World War I, Marie Curie helped soldiers by creating mobile X-ray machines to treat their injuries. Her work helped over a million soldiers. She showed great dedication to science and helping others.
Marie Curie’s health suffered because she worked with radioactive materials without proper safety gear. She passed away on July 4, 1934. Her legacy lives on through the Curie Institute, a top medical research center named after her.
Did you know that the unit for measuring radioactivity is called the “curie”? It’s named after Marie and Pierre Curie to honor their incredible contributions to science.
Marie Curie’s life is a story of hard work, intelligence, and amazing achievements. She inspires many people, especially women in science. Her journey teaches us the value of determination and learning. If Marie Curie’s story inspires you, think about your own goals and dreams. Sharing your journey can inspire others too. For more stories like Marie’s, look for resources that celebrate the achievements of remarkable people.
Find some glow-in-the-dark stickers or toys at home. Turn off the lights and observe how they glow. Discuss with a parent or teacher why these items glow and how it relates to radioactivity. Can you think of other things that glow in the dark? Try to find out what makes them glow.
With a friend or family member, act out a scene from Marie Curie’s life. You could pretend to be Marie discovering radioactivity or teaching at the University of Paris. Think about how she might have felt during these moments. What challenges did she face, and how did she overcome them?
With the help of an adult, research and list some everyday items or technologies that use radioactivity, like smoke detectors or medical X-rays. Discuss how these items help us and why it’s important to use them safely. Can you think of any other ways radioactivity is used to help people?
