The True Story of the Radium Girls
In this 10 week class, we will delve into business, science, and commercialism in the early twentieth century and learn about the incredibly brave young women who worked in the watch factories.
Tina Hugall MHA MBA
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4.9
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What's included
10 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Each week, students are responsible for reading the assigned chapters in the book before class. We will also be watching short youtube videos, movies, and reading short articles about this event in history and similar events.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
The story of how radium was used in everyday products at the beginning of the twentieth century has continued to fascinate and astound. It was Marie Curie who said 'nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.' However, it was Pierre Curie who said 'radium could be very dangerous in criminal hands.' In this ten week class, we will examine the lives of the young women who worked in the factory, the three different American companies who were in charge and responsible, and how the public responded. This will also be a look into public views of science, immigration, and the working class during the early 1900's. Each week, students will be reading, on their own, "The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women, Kate Moore", the Young Readers Edition. Our weekly breakdown will include, but is not limited to: (Each week will include a powerpoint lecture of topics discussed in the book and more.) 1. What is radium and when was it discovered? How was it used in everyday products? A brief history of the Curies and their work with radium. 2. Discussion -Chapters 1 -7 3. Discussion Chapters 8-12 4. DiscussionChapters 13 - 16 5. Discussion Chapters 17 - 23 6. Discussion Chapters 24 - 28 7. Discussion Chapters 29 - 35 8. Discussion Chapters 36 - 44 9. Discussion Chapters 45 - 47 10. Epilogue and Postscript; Discussion of 2020 Movie "Radium Girls" For information on my other courses, please check out my course catalog: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10WtnUIRwVRw7Awo6FskitgUKeNUjuAvf/view
Learning Goals
Learners will not only examine the dangers of unregulated business and science of the early twentieth century, but also the exploitation of young women of the working class.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class will discuss business and scientific regulations and laws, as well as sexism and classism in early twentieth century United States.
Commonsensemedia lists the movie "The Radium Girls" (2020) at age 13+ - "Parents need to know that Radium Girls is an inspiring coming-of-age drama set in the 1920s and executive-produced by Lily Tomlin. It's based on shocking real events that led to government regulations to protect U.S. workers. When trusting 17-year-old main character Bessie (Joey King) realizes that her sister's mysterious illness might be related to toxic materials at work, she sets out to fight a powerful system that prioritizes profits over people. The film reflects what happened in real life: Doctors were paid off to tell the girls they were suffering from syphilis, rather than radiation poisoning, to shame them into silence. It's an intersectionally feminist story in that it's about a range of women -- low-income laborers, Harvard professors, scientists, and legal counselors -- banding together to make change. A subplot shows Black and White activists working together for racial unity, but the story centers on a White woman's experience. Real footage from the 1920s is used to show marches that echo contemporary issues, including demands for equal rights and to abolish the police (there's a clip of a cop swinging his baton at protestors). There are also disturbing scenes of a young woman's teeth and jaw falling out due to radiation poisoning.
There may be some Youtube videos that are seen during this class. I will share my screen and learners will not need to access them on their own. Any youtube videos assigned for homework will be able to be viewed directly on the Outschool classroom page.
Supply List
Learners will need to purchase or borrow "The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women" by Kate Moore - the Young Readers Edition.
Joined March, 2018
4.9
872reviews
Popular
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree from Louisiana State University
I have been an educator on Outschool since February of 2018. I have my MBA and MHA, both of which have taught me the value of conducting research and asking questions. I have a passion for history and learning. You can usually find me in the middle of 2-3 books or watching a documentary. Reviews
Live Group Class
$10
weekly or $95 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-8 learners per class
