TED Talk: The Genius of Marie Curie- Shohini Ghose

Introduce your students to the extraordinary life and groundbreaking discoveries of Marie Curie with this captivating assignment based on the TED Talk about her life. Marie Curie, born Maria Sklodowska in Russian-occupied Poland, defied societal norms to become one of the most influential scientists of her time. Through this assignment, students will explore her journey from a clandestine student in Warsaw to a Nobel Prize-winning scientist in Paris.

In this assignment, students will learn about Curie's early struggles to obtain education as a woman and her eventual move to Paris to study at the Sorbonne. They will discover how her partnership with physicist Pierre Curie led to groundbreaking research on radiation and the discovery of new elements, radium, and polonium.

Through thought-provoking questions, students will delve into Curie's scientific discoveries, the challenges she faced as a female scientist, and the impact of her work on modern science and medicine. They will also reflect on the personal sacrifices Curie made in pursuit of her research, including the potential health risks associated with her work with radiation.

This assignment is perfect for high school and college-level students studying chemistry, physics, women's history, or the history of science. It can be used to spark discussions about gender equality in STEM fields, the nature of scientific discovery, and the ethical implications of scientific research.

What's Included:

• 20 high school/college level questions based on the TED Talk.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain an understanding of Marie Curie's life and scientific contributions.
• Explore the challenges faced by women in science during Curie's time and today.
• Reflect on the ethical considerations of scientific research and discovery.
• Develop critical thinking skills through analysis of historical and scientific concepts.