7 of 7 results for "scientific discovery"
Student Article
Marie Curie: A Scientific Legacy Who Changed the World
The article “Marie Curie: A Scientific Legacy Who Changed the World” from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the life and groundbreaking scientific achievements of Marie Curie. From her difficult childhood in Russian-occupied Poland to her pioneering work in radioactivity, Curie defied gender norms and political obstacles to become one of the most celebrated scientists in history.
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Tu Youyou: Malaria Breakthrough

In Tu Youyou: Malaria Breakthrough, host Chris Packham tells the story of Tu Youyou’s groundbreaking discovery of artemisinin, a drug that transformed the fight against malaria. Her extraordinary courage, including volunteering as the first test subject, went unnoticed as she was never named on the research papers that led to the breakthrough. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.

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Marie Curie: Discovering Radioactivity and Cancer Treatments

In Marie Curie: Discovering Radioactivity and Cancer Treatments, host Chris Packham highlights the journey of a brilliant immigrant who transformed science. From discovering radioactivity to developing pioneering cancer treatments, Marie Curie challenged conventions and inspired breakthroughs in atomic science. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.

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Einstein and the Bomb: A Scientist's Moral Dilemma

In Einstein and the Bomb: A Scientist's Moral Dilemma, host Chris Packham explores Albert Einstein's scientific contributions. As a pacifist, he was opposed to the use of his research to develop nuclear weapons. Einstein’s story reveals the burden of scientific discovery in wartime. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.

Student Article
Isaac Newton: From Apple Myths to Scientific Genius
The article "Isaac Newton: From Apple Myths to Scientific Genius" from BBC's History Revealed tells the story of Newton’s journey from a lonely farm boy to one of the greatest scientists of all time. It explores his most famous discoveries — including gravity, motion, and calculus — as well as his struggles, rivalries (especially with Robert Hooke), and unusual experiments.
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The Theory of a Supercontinent and the Cold War Discovery That Proved It
In The Theory of a Supercontinent and the Cold War Discovery That Proved It, narrator Michael Mosley shares how German meteorologist Alfred Wegener proposed a radical new theory — that all of the continents had once fit together as one supercontinent that he called Pangaea. It wasn’t until the Cold War that the oceans were mapped, and scientists discovered the interlocking plates of the seafloor that could provide evidence for Wegener’s theory. This video is excerpted from BBC's The Story of Science, in which Michael Mosley takes an informative and ambitious journey exploring how the evolution of scientific understanding is intimately interwoven with society's historical path.
Lesson Plan
Exploring Antarctica as Scientists
In this lesson, your students will step into the shoes of Antarctic scientists! They'll dive into the fascinating world of Antarctic research stations and unique wildlife with video clips from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet and Frozen Planet. After exploring the videos and researching more about this frozen continent, your students will write a creative journal entry from the perspective of a research scientist sharing their experiences in Antarctica. You’ll wrap up the lesson with a meaningful class discussion about why studying Antarctica matters and how the discoveries made there could shape our world.