Guidelines
Hello, Brilliant Minds!
Ready to embark on an exciting journey exploring the lives and achievements of Nobel-caliber pioneers? Let's dive in!
Picking Your Nobel Hero
Decide on your field first — what you might want to be one day — and only then look for the person. You'll get a starting list of living pioneers in that field, checked by a mentor, with those already written about in earlier volumes marked off; add names of your own from nobelprize.org and beyond. If your field is mathematics, the Fields Medal is the equivalent to look at. Literature and Peace laureates are fair choices but take more care, as those prizes carry politics with them; there is no Nobel for the arts, so an arts pioneer is a harder path.
Getting to Know Them
Shortlist three pioneers who interest you, then pick the one you want to write about. Learn about them using the internet, books, and articles — what did they discover or create, and why does it matter? Find some fun facts too, like their hobbies or what made them curious as kids.
Contacting Your Pioneer
Write to them yourself — never have someone write for you. A short, genuine letter from a student who has read their work and wants to tell their story is something even a Nobel laureate is glad to receive; a request from an organisation on your behalf carries almost no weight. You will learn how to write that letter in the Masterclass.
If you can't reach them, that's fine. Direct contact is a bonus, not a requirement: their colleagues, students and the published record are all fair sources, and no student who enrols is ever left without a subject.
One firm rule: stop where contact could put your pioneer or their family at risk. In an earlier volume a student chose a laureate whose relatives asked never to be contacted again because attention could endanger them — so the student changed subject, and that was the right call. If you sense anything like that, talk to your mentor and choose someone else.
Understanding Their Science
Learn about the science or discovery they're known for — don't worry if it seems complex at first, break it into smaller parts. If you're stuck, ask your mentor; discussing it with someone else often makes things clearer.
Organizing Your Thoughts
As you research, jot down important points, dates, and ideas. Plan how you'll present your information — maybe starting with their early life, their significant discovery, and how it changed the world. Follow the template in the shared sheet to write your chapter.
Crafting Your Story
Write their story in your own words — imagine you're telling a friend about this amazing person and their discovery. Feel free to add pictures, drawings, or even a small experiment that explains their work.
Review and Polish
Read over your project and look for spelling mistakes or parts you can make even better. Don't hesitate to use AI tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT as assistants to help improve your work — just avoid over-relying on them. Show your project to someone else and ask their thoughts.
Share Your Project
Share your project with your class, friends, or family. Be proud of what you've learned and created!
Remember: this project isn't just about getting facts right. It's about exploring, learning, and getting inspired by some of the brightest minds in history. Have fun, and let your curiosity lead the way!