The first woman to win a Nobel Prize. The first woman to earn a PhD in physics in France. The first person ever to be awarded two Nobel Prizes. In this episode of Rosie Reads, we’re learning all about Marie Curie (1867-1934) with special guest Veronica! This kid-friendly biography, written by Marie Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Frau Isa, and published in 2016 – is a great introduction to Curie’s life and long list of discoveries and achievements, many of which continue to help people today.

When you’re finished reading Marie Curie, ask kids these comprehension questions:

  • Why did Marie move to France?
  • What did she and her husband Pierre discover in their lab?
  • What medical device did those discoveries help invent?

For our Rosie Reads activity, discuss how it’s never too early to start thinking about ways to help your community, and the world, just like Marie Curie, whose research “continues to help people with illnesses today”.  Start by asking kids how they could use science to make the world a better place. Take it further, and ask them to invent a “new” Nobel Prize for something that has a positive impact on the world (the six existing prizes are awarded in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine or physiology, peace, literature, and economics). For example, Veronica designed one for activism in the video! Go all out and make your medal and decide who the first recipient should be!