How these women changed science forever
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Transcript
Hey there. Welcome to Life Noggin.
When people talk about women in science, their first thought is almost always of Marie Curie – the first female scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in Physics, and the first scientist to ever receive two Nobel Prizes. She won these thanks to her groundbreaking work studying radiation and discovering two new elements – polonium and radium. And while it's important to know about her contributions to science, many people's knowledge of women in STEM ends there. So today I'm going to help fix that.
Let's start off with another scientist who worked with radioactive elements – Lisa Meitner. Along with physicist Otto Hahn, she discovered a new element called protactinium. But more importantly, she also noticed a strange result when uranium atoms were bombarded with neutrons. See, whenever this happened, the neutron did not stick to the uranium atom. Rather, it caused the atom to split, forming lighter elements in the process and also releasing a tremendous amount of energy. Meitner called this 'nuclear fission', which led to the creation of the atomic bomb. In fact, after her discoveries were published, Albert Einstein wrote a warning letter to US President Franklin D Roosevelt, which resulted in the creation of the Manhattan Project.
If you watched our video on why humans reproduce sexually, you'll know that genes have the ability to move within and between chromosomes. By studying the changes of pigmentation of corn kernels over many generations, Barbara McClintock discovered that genetic information is not stationary. However, at the time, this went against everything that was known about genetics. In fact, it took over 30 years for her work to be seriously considered – eventually resulting in her winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
On a related subject, let's talk about DNA. You probably learned in school that its double-helix structure was discovered by scientists James Watson and Francis Crick, but this is only partially true. See, the real discovery was made by Rosalind Franklin in the 1950s. Her X-ray diffraction photographs of DNA were unknowingly shown to Watson and Crick by her colleague Maurice Wilkins. And after seeing the photo, the two scientists almost immediately published a paper in Nature, explaining their findings. Unfortunately, the Nobel Prize was awarded to Watson, Crick and Wilkins after Franklin's death, but it's unsure if she would have even been included if she had still been alive. But regardless, it's clear that we should know her name just as well as we know Watson and Crick.
And lastly, let's talk about Jane Goodall. She is a primatologist and best known for her work with chimpanzees in Tanzania. During her time with them, she discovered that chimpanzees were able to make and use tools, which, at the time, only humans were thought to do. This was a huge breakthrough, and she also discovered that chimpanzees ate meat, throw stones as weapons, embrace one another for comfort and formed familial bonds. In fact, the chimps even had a war! After years of research, she speaks out for these animals that cannot speak for themselves. And on top of all of this, she is an advocate for conservation and founded the Jane Goodall Institute, a global non-profit organisation.
So, clearly there are some incredible scientists that you should have learned about in school. But obviously there are tonnes more, so let me know who you want to learn about next time.
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In my opinion, Marie Curie is the scientist who made the biggest and most important contribution. Her discoveries allowed the progress of medicine. Today, we have effective treatments for cancer, and Marie Curie was the beginning of this path. In addition, I remember hearing about her at school. Because of that, Marie Curie is more present in my memory, although I knew Jane Goodall too. Jane Goodall passed away this year, and a lot of information about her circulated in the media. I realized that I grew up watching her documentaries. The other scientists are less famous to me.
It is said that science could be a double-edged weapon... Some lead to important discoveries, while others cause destruction, such as what led to the Manhattan Project due to the discovery of the radioactive elements that formed the atomic bombs. But it shouldn't stop mankind from discovering further, for the sake of science and people... And that is the true essence of the award—helping mankind thrive through science too. The article's focus was on how women have also contributed to the world with regard to achieving the same goals alongside men, and she did. Hopefully, more would rise.
I like the article. I'll try and remember the names! There's no doubt that Marie Curie is the most famously known for her work. It serves as a message to humanity, which should help inspire more.
I liked this video, because it’s really interesting and cognitive. In this video I found out a lot of facts about science and how women did a big contribution in science.
After watching this video mine favourite scientist is Rosalind Franklin because she discovered double-helix structure of DNA.
So this video was inspiring for me.
Hello. I want to share my impressions of this video. First I was impressed by the fact that a woman named Marie Curie received the Nobel Prize. Second, about Lise Meitner, who created the atomic bomb, and Albert Einstein himself learned about her invention. Third, cay you imagine a battle between chimpanzees? They even have family ties. I want to summarize. Some people think that women can't achieve anything. But here are four women who became famous scientists.
I learned about many scientists who made important discoveries and received awards, such as the Nobel Prize. This text showed that their work is very important for science.
I learned that there was a scientist named Marie Curie who received two Nobel Prizes. I found out that she split the atom. This led to even Albert Einstein writing a letter to the President of the USA saying that the discovery could lead to bad things. I also learned that monkeys do the same things as we do, for example: they had wars and they also hug when they have family relationships.
This video is really interesting and I involved in it. These scientists are wise and their discoveries are inspiring. I am impressed by Jane Goodall because she discovered that chimpanzees create and use tools. Chimpanzees are very beautiful, especially babies.
I find this video fascinating and very informative. I didn’t know it was Marie Curie who discovered Polonium.
I find the discoveries of Lisa Meitner to be the most influential and useful, as using nuclear fission for power is a very efficient, albeit dangerous source.
It was so interesting video. I found a lot of new information for me,for example i found out that Maria Curie has two Nobel Prizes and the chimps even had a war!! I didn’t even know who Lisa Meitner was, but now i know that she made the atomic bomb.. I suggest to everyone watch this video, it’s very interesting and can tell you a lot of new things.
I really liked this video. I learned a lot of new things. I didn't even know there was a Nobel Prize for women and I didn't know that chimpanzees can use stones for weapons. This video was very educational for me.