Horrible Science: Women of Science

Throughout history there have been many influential women who have played an important role in some key scientific discoveries and breakthroughs.

In this Horrible Science banger, discover more about Mary Anning, Marie Curie, Lise Meitner and Kathrine Johnson.

Horrible Science fact

The Royal Society (a sort of members club for brilliant scientists) was first set up in England in 1660.

However, they didn't let women be members until 1945, a whopping 285 years later. Rude!

Mary Anning

Mary Anning was a famous for finding fossils in Lyme Regis. She made some incredible discoveries including the Ichthyosaur, Plesiosaur and Dimorphodon. She made her first fossil discoveries when she was still a child.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie was a famous scientist who won two Nobel prizes. She investigated radioactivity and discovered a new element called polonium in 1898. Her research was also very important for the development of x-rays used in surgery and she helped ensure ambulances had x-ray equipment during World War 1.

Lise Meitner

Lise Meitner helped to discover and explain nuclear fission and the radioactive element protactinium.

Katherine Jackson

Katherine Jackson was a famous mathematician and scientist who worked for NASA. She helped to calculate flight paths for spacecrafts to the moon including the moon landing and orbits around Earth.

There are lots of influential women in Science.

Carry out your own research to find out more about another significant woman in science and write 5 key facts about them.

Using the key facts you found, could you write an alternative verse for the song?