The Search For Marcy Curie: A Worldwide Study of Women, DNA, and Science

The Search For Marcy Curie: A Worldwide Study of Women, DNA, and ScienceThe Search for Marcy Curie: A Worldwide Study of Women, DNA, and Science is a comprehensive and complex study of women's contributions to science. Written by Dr. Laurie Zoloth, the book uses research papers from leading women scientists in the United States to discuss the effects of society on women, history of research on women, women's work and careers, and the effect of scientific research on society.Zoloth's research paper is impressive. In this chapter, she describes the history of women in science, including their roles in NASA's early space program, and how some of their contributions may be lost in the vagueness of time. Zoloth explains that the story of women's contributions to science can be found in history books, research papers, popular histories, newspapers, and documentary films.Zoloth then presents a list of relevant studies, presenting the results of many experiments, all of which show solid resu lts for the contributions of women in science. She emphasizes the work of some early scientists such as Mary Lee Bates, whose discovery of a form of radiation, x-rays, paved the way for other types of radiation tests. She also points out the accomplishments of Audrey Glassman and George E.N. Mitchell, who, together with others, worked to standardize X-ray technique and later understand how it was used.Zoloth also discusses the work of Marie Curie, who discovered radioactivity, showing that atoms of uranium combine when exposed to x-rays. Curie also created the photoelectric effect, proving that electricity can flow through matter. Although Curie received only a fraction of the money awarded to her colleagues for her contributions, she is considered the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize for science.In the chapter, Zoloth states that some of the pure methods used by science and technology to examine women's achievements were 'gender biased 'or 'sexist.' Zoloth shows that these meth ods often resulted in excluding women from projects, measurements, and scientific experiments, and that many experiments never took place or were unsuccessful. She points out that many of the problems that arise from the lack of women in science are not the result of gender bias, but are instead the result of shortcomings in the various ways that science was designed and administered.After finishing the book, I received a positive response from my research assistant and from the numerous people I have emailed since reading the book. It is an excellent read, and some of the stories and results are compelling. One friend, who is a science teacher, especially enjoyed the chapter on nuclear fission.The book's introduction is worth reading. It highlights the contributions of women in science, and how this contributes to society and helps to improve the quality of life for all people.