A Real Life Super Hero: the Life, Accomplishments, and Legacy of Marie Curie
Kinleigh Clanton, COM 201-02
Introduction
“I am among those who think that science has great beauty.” (Marie Curie). As a young woman pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Marie has become somewhat of an idol to me—a hero, you could say. Her passion for education and discovery led her to become one of the most famous scientists of her day, and one of the most renowned women in STEM ever. Today, I am going to discuss the life, accomplishments, and legacy of Marie Curie.
Body
I. I will discuss Marie Curie’s life.
A. Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland on November 7, 1867.
1. Both of Marie’s parents were teachers.
2. Marie was the youngest of five children.
B. Curie attended
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After learning all they could at home, the sisters agreed to pay each other’s way through school in Paris; Bronya first, and then Marie.
3. At the Sorbonne, Marie earned a master’s in physics in 1893, and a second degree in mathematics in 1894.
4. In 1903 she was awarded her doctorate, the first woman in France to receive one.
II. I will discuss Marie Curie’s accomplishments.
A. In 1903 Curie won her first Nobel prize, in physics.
1. She was given this award with her husband Pierre, and Henri Becquerel for their work in establishing the field of atomic physics.
a. After finishing her degrees, Marie was prompted to begin working with samples of uranium after Henri Becquerel discovered that it casts off rays.
b. Marie coined the term “radioactivity” to describe this property of uranium.
2. This was the first Nobel Prize ever awarded to a woman.
a. Lucy Spalluto, in her article, “Marie Curie – Stirring the Pot”, notes that “The French Academy of Sciences nominated both Henri Becquerel and Pierre Curie for the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics. In the original nomination, there was no mention of Marie.”
b. Her husband Pierre spoke up on her behalf and said that failing to honor Marie with the award was