
Marie Curie
1867-1934
Discovering new elements and becoming the first person to win two Nobel Prizes
Early Life
Marie Curie was born as Maria Skłodowska in Warsaw, Poland. As a child, she loved learning and asked lots of questions about how the world worked.
School was very important to Marie, but it was not easy for girls to study science at that time. Even so, she kept reading books and teaching herself as much as she could.
A Big Move for Learning
When Marie grew older, she moved to Paris, France, to study at the Sorbonne University. She worked very hard and often studied late into the night.
She learned physics and mathematics and became one of the best students in her class. This was a huge achievement, especially for a woman in those days.
Discovering New Elements
Marie married another scientist named Pierre Curie, and they worked together as a team. They studied a mysterious kind of energy called radioactivity.
Together, they discovered two new elements: polonium and radium. These discoveries helped scientists understand atoms better and opened the door to new kinds of science.
Winning Nobel Prizes
Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Later, she became the first person ever to win two Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.
These awards showed the world how important her work was. They also proved that women could be great scientists too.
Helping Others
Marie wanted science to help people. During World War I, she helped create mobile X-ray machines that doctors used to help injured soldiers.
She also trained other people to use these machines, saving many lives. Marie believed knowledge should be shared for the good of everyone.
Legacy
Marie Curie’s work changed science forever. She inspired many young people to study science and follow their dreams.
Today, she is remembered as a brave, curious, and hardworking scientist who never gave up. Her story shows that learning and determination can change the world.
🎉 Fun Facts
Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
She is the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.
Her daughter Irène also won a Nobel Prize.
She named the element polonium after her home country, Poland.