Marie Curie is my favorite scientist of all time. She is basically the definition of girl power. Additionally, I view her as the most accomplished scientist of all time. She is the only person to win two Nobel Prizes in two different fields of science. She won in chemistry and in physics. I share all about here with a Marie Curie activity for teaching women in science.
Now, I know teaching history in science class often doesn’t fit well into our curricula. And with the need to show students that all types of people can be scientists (and be good at it) is so important! But I’m sure, like me, you’ve noticed that the science that our students learn comes from one group of people. Just dudes!
Of course, they can see me, their female science teacher – BUT I’m not a Nobel Prize winner. I’m just a regular woman who learned science. People who DO science is a different beast.
Presentation of Men in Science
I’m never going to bad mouth men! They’re great and we need them. I make sure that my students know that just because I love Marie Curie and if I could get in a time machine I’d 100% go meet her, that she is an important PART of the whole picture.
I usually make the point that early on, men were the only ones allowed to participate in scientific study. Women weren’t allowed to go to college or get in a lab and work. That’s why men are credited with many of the discoveries that we learn in science classes.
Additionally, because men were the first in the field, they were the ones with the most basic and elementary discoveries that we teach in high school science. It’s not that they are more important than other discoveries. They really are just the foundation of what we learn moving on in science. That’s why it seems like they get all the credit across all of science.
Presentation of Women in Science
I don’t like to adopt any negative side of this story. I personally feel that the above statement, that women initially weren’t allowed to participate in science is enough information. There’s a lot to this “women in science” issue. I prefer to look on the bright side, present the positives and move from there. I like to show the example of me, going to school and learning it, but also strong female scientists when I can.
But then there’s the issue. That women largely weren’t participating in foundational science and chemistry. And we have the same issue – women missing from the curriculum.
I make sure that when I teach my History of the Atom or other lessons where men are getting credit for discoveries to make the point that “yes, women have plenty of scientific discoveries! Many of their discoveries come later in the timeline and are built on the foundational ones, like Atomic Theory or Periodic Law. And because they’re more advanced is the reason why you aren’t learning them in high school.
And that’s partly true. But when I have the opportunity to share about a woman in science that is an academic level that is appropriate for my students, you know I’m going to take it!
The Story of Marie Curie
Marie Curie is a scientist I can actually share about in my chemistry classes. Her work in discovering radiation and a few elements is chemistry content that is within the reach of my high school chemistry students. So for that reason, she gets a huge spotlight in my classroom.
Marie did not start off with an easy life. She lost her mother as a child and had to delay school to work and pay for her sister’s education. Then they swapped places. Throughout her studies, she lived in a tiny apartment and skipped meals to keep the heat on.
She met her husband in a lab and her relationship could be found in the direction for the term “power couple.” When the pair along with their partner were awarded the Nobel Prize, her husband spoke out on her behalf saying that she was an equal partner in their work.
Her husband Pierre died and though she was absolutely distraught, she managed to go on and secure herself a second Nobel Prize – this time completely solo.
She used her discovery of radiation to invent a mobile X-ray unit for men fighting in the first world war. She literally combed the battlefield looking for downed men to help.
Incorporating Women in Science
Marie Curie obviously is a powerhouse. It’s why we all love her. She is the easiest woman to take on as a role model. She loved and worked HARD. Maybe she didn’t have the best execution of “work life balance” but she was a pioneer for the rest of us!
In order to teach all about the life of Marie Curie to my students, I use what I have decided to call an interactive biography activity. I’m planning to make some more (when I get around to it) because I love this type of activity SO MUCH!
I’ve put together self guided Google slides for my students to click through. In the Marie Curie activity, students read about Marie Curie and watch some videos on her life and her discoveries. I’ve even included pictures to make it even more real – as if you were watching a documentary.
Students answer questions directly on the slides making it really immersive. I’ve been using this for a few years now and I’ve used it in a bunch of different ways.
Sub Plans
When you have nothing planned or copied, or you woke up sick (*surprise!) this is a great activity. It’s entirely self guided and has absolutely no prep work on your end. Well aside from assigning it in your Google classroom.
10 points of final exam
I did this during the hybrid year. We had just finished the nuclear unit, the kids weren’t taking a state exam and it was a good way to piece together a few different measures of their success. We also did a lab report and some standard test questions. In terms of wanting to see growth and what the kids actually learned, different tasks were an amazing option. The following year my school required a formal sit down exam, but I would definitely do a task based final exam again!
Early finisher activity
Especially if you’ve assigned some type of long project (like my physical science students doing calculations for the drawing of a roller coaster) this is a great one. Again, it’s self guided, so you can help the stragglers with getting their projects finished, while the quicker kids have something to do and won’t drive you absolutely crazy.
Women’s History Month assignment (March)
Of course, the prime time to do this would be during Women’s History Month in March, International Day of Women & Girls in Science or during your Nuclear Chemistry Unit. Use it as a regular lesson during this time and see your students make some real life connections!
Extra credit
Do your students drive you crazy about extra credit like mine do? This is a great activity for them because it usually counts as enrichment beyond the scope of your state standards, is actually educational and again, requires no work on your part. (Aside from grading it, that is.)
Filling in the weird gaps in my schedule so I don’t have to give a test on a Monday
I hate giving tests on Mondays. And I also hate when you wind up with too many days between “free” before a vacation. I usually like to plan my units so they end right before a school break. If I find I need to stretch a day or so to make that happen, I’ll either review the unit with my students (but we know how hectic that can be) or do an activity like the Marie Curie interactive biography. If you’re in need of some curriculum and pacing help, get a free copy of my chemistry curriculum outline here!
There’s No Wrong Way to do It
Except to skip it all together. It’s imperative that we work to teach our students that anyone can be a scientist. It’s possible for all of us with the right amount of hard work behind us. Marie Curie doesn’t have to be the focal point of your Women in Science Lesson or activity, but make sure some superstar scientist makes the cut!
