The Nobel Collection, Volume 1

Book excerpt: Humans are highly curious – we are eager to understand ourselves and the world around us, and we love the feeling of discovering something new. Some people choose to become scientists and devote their lives to exploring and understanding the laws of nature and life itself. A scientific understanding of the natural world is critical for developing new technologies and materials, and for curing devastating diseases. Every scientist makes discoveries that contribute to the constantly expanding body of human knowledge. Occasionally, scientists even discover entirely new phenomena that transform the way we understand the universe! Think of Albert Einstein’s famous theories, for example, or the pioneering work of Marie Skłodowska Curie, which led to the discovery of new elements and advanced the treatment of certain cancers. Indeed, her discovery of radioactivity paved the way for both the diagnosis via X-rays, and treatment of cancer via radiation therapy. Groundbreaking discoveries such as these usually result from a combination of knowledge, dedication, brilliance, and good luck. Each year, we celebrate these transformative discoveries by awarding Nobel Prizes in chemistry, physics, economics, and physiology or medicine. These prizes represent our highest-level recognition of the scientific accomplishments that have changed the world for the better. Now, in 2021 – exactly 120 years after the first Nobel Prize was awarded – we launch this special Nobel Collection in Frontiers for Young Minds. This Collection brings you articles by Nobel laureates, written specifically for young minds. In this first-of-its-kind collection, Nobel Prize winners explain their amazing discoveries and describe how they accomplished them. These Nobel laureates share their thoughts on research and what it means to be a scientist, and they even provide advice for becoming a successful researcher and living a happy, meaningful life. Like all Frontiers for Young Minds articles, these articles have been reviewed and approved by kids like you! Did you know that Nobel Prize winners and Young Minds readers have several important traits in common? The first is curiosity. The scientific journeys of Nobel laureates are often fueled by an intense, child-like curiosity – the same curiosity that motivates you to read these articles. Many Nobel laureates also manage to stay as open-minded as Young Minds readers – they keep their opinions flexible and can be persuaded to change their minds when new data challenges their existing beliefs. In the words of 2014 Nobel laureate May-Britt Moser, “I believe that it is important to maintain your curiosity about things, both now and as an adult, and find something that you have a passion for, that makes you enthusiastic and feel alive. For myself, I can say that I am very curious about things and that it is extremely important for me to understand things. It gives me so much pleasure when I understand something that I did not understand before - this is my leading star.” We hope that this unique new Collection will be your leading star – that it will help you to further develop your own curiosity and openness, and that it inspires you reach for new discoveries in your own life!