Marie Skłodowka Curie was a woman ahead of her time. One of the world’s most famous scientists, her revolutionary work and discoveries created the field of atomic physics, and Curie herself coined the word radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person ever to win in two different fields (chemistry and physics). She was also the first female professor to hold a full chair position at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

In reality, however, Marie Curie was an extremely complex person. She was a devoted wife and mother, but she was also an intense scientist who became so involved in her work and research that she often forgot to eat or sleep. Her life was never easy, and she experienced many setbacks, troubles, health issues, and tragedies through the years. Yet she persevered and succeeded in her life’s work by sheer determination. As her daughter/biographer Eve noted, Marie was a modest, simple woman who (along with her husband Pierre) chose to reject money, comfort, and thousands of advantages so that everyone could freely benefit from her discoveries. And truly, she did not know how to be famous.

This book tells the story of Marie Curie’s life and of her invaluable contributions to the world of science. A range of hands-on activities and experiments—from making the Polish treat pierogies to exploring magnetism to using electrolysis to split water—allow for exploration of Curie's environment, beliefs, and scientific work for any interest or aptitude.