Marie Curie's X-Ray Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics Initiative

Marie Curie, a Polish-born scientist who made groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity, is a fascinating figure in the history of science. Today, we're going to delve into her life and work, and more importantly, we'll explore X-rays with a fun and educational hands-on STEAM project.

During World War I, Marie Curie developed mobile radiography units, known as "Little Curies," for on-the-spot X-ray imaging of injured soldiers. X-rays, as you might know, are a type of light that can pass through some things but not others, like skin and muscles but not bones. They are used in medical imaging to create pictures of the inside of the body, with bones appearing as bright white spots on the picture.

In this project, kids will paint their forearms, wrists, and hands with grey paint, press the painted area onto black paper to capture the bones' shape, and draw details with white chalk. An optional experiment involves shining a flashlight from the side onto the painted forearm and hand with the room darkened to create an X-ray-like effect.

The printable famous scientist pack for kids includes Marie Curie and 21 other scientists to explore, each with a project sheet, biography sheet, animated videos, My Favorite Scientist Mini Pack, games, supply list, helpful tips, and a bonus Women In STEM pullout pack.

Marie Curie's work laid the foundation for the understanding of radiation, including X-rays. In 1898, she, alongside her husband Pierre Curie, discovered radium and polonium, both of which emit radiation. This discovery was a significant milestone in the scientific community.

Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 (shared with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel) for their work on radioactivity, becoming the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize in Physics. She later received a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for her discoveries of radium and polonium.

Born as Maria Skłodowska in Poland in 1867, Marie Curie pursued higher education in France despite societal norms. Her perseverance and groundbreaking discoveries have made her an inspiration for countless individuals around the world.

In conclusion, this hands-on X-ray STEAM project is not only a fun way to learn about X-rays but also an opportunity to delve into the life and work of Marie Curie, a truly remarkable scientist who transformed the world of science.

Marie Curie's X-Ray Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics Initiative