Sophie Germain

From Bedtime History

Sophie Germain
10 min3rd4th5th6thSocial Studies
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Summary

Barred from studying math because she was a girl, Sophie Germain taught herself in secret, borrowed a male student's name to send in her work, and became a pioneering mathematician.

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Discussion questions

Discussion

Barred from studying math because she was a girl, Sophie Germain taught herself in secret, borrowed a male student's name to send in her work, and became a pioneering mathematician.

  1. What obstacles did Sophie Germain face just because she was a girl?
  2. How did she keep learning math when she wasn't allowed to attend school?
  3. Why is it important that people today can study whatever interests them?

Quick work-a-long

Vocabulary: mathematician, barrier, determination.

Try it: Write down one subject you're curious about and one way you could learn more about it on your own.