Nobel Laureates Speak ‘Kid’ in New Articles for Young Minds

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Last week, a study published in PLoS One shed further light on the sometimes-toxic publishing culture that surrounds STEM research. In a survey, PhD researchers revealed they feel forced by researchers in leadership positions to grant co-authorships on papers that the leaders did not contribute to.

This week, articles published by the journal Frontiers reveal the complete opposite side of scientific publishing—one marked by curiosity and colorful illustrations opposed to coercion and undeserved credit.

Five Nobel Laureates have written articles about their research in language appropriate for young kids to read and understand.

The articles are published in Frontiers for Young Minds, a unique, free kids’ science journal that features articles by distinguished scientists specifically shaped for younger audiences by the input of their own young peers.

This is the second volume within the Nobel Collection. Volume 1, published in 2021, has 10 articles ranging from astronomy and physics to human health, chemistry, neuroscience and more.

“As a scientist, I feel privileged to be able to ask questions that I think are important. I hope the papers in this journal may help nurture and reinforce children’s passion and curiosity for science—what a gift to humanity that would be,” Nobel Laureate May-Britt Moser told Frontiers for Young Minds.

How it Works

The peer-review process for Frontiers for Young Minds is not all that different than your traditional journal—with the caveat that the “peers” are aged 8 to 15.

The scientists behind the original research—in this case, Nobel Laureates—write an article that translates their work into terms accessible to kids and teens. The manuscript is then reviewed by a “Young Mind/Science Mentor” pair. The Young Minds are kids and teens between the ages of 8 to 15 who work with their classrooms or friends to provide feedback about how to make the best possible articles for readers their own age. This is done with the help of their Science Mentor—researchers with experience in science outreach or in the peer review process who help guide and encourage the Young Minds.

When assigned a manuscript, the Young Mind/Science Mentor pair produces a review report. The original author must respond to all feedback in the report before it can be validated and published in the journal.  

Nobel Collection: Volume 2

The Nobel Collection Volume 2 gives kids the chance to directly connect with Laureates to learn how they achieved their groundbreaking discoveries.

For example, Richard Axel, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2004, wrote the article, “The Olfactory System: It Smells Good to Be Alive.” Axel was awarded the prize for his discoveries of odorant receptors and the organization of the olfactory system. In the article, he details how the brain recognizes different odors and why they cause different reactions in different animals and people.

Elizabeth Blackburn writes about “telomere power” and and how to live longer and healthier. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2009 for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase.

In another article, Richard Henderson and Noa Segev detail how their search for molecular structures in humans, animals, plants and tiny microorganisms was revolutionized by a new technique—cryo-electron microscopy. The duo, and a third, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2017.

Michael Kosterlitz, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016, writes about the “magic” of superfluids. The physicist claimed ¼ of the prize for the theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter.

Lastly, Arthur B. McDonald takes the young readers back all the way to the beginning of the universe, detailing his work with ever-elusive ghost particles. McDonald was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2015 for the discovery of neutrino oscillations, which shows that neutrinos have mass.

Frontiers for Young Minds expects Volume 2 to grow later this year, most likely adding at least another five articles to match the completed Volume 1.

“It’s amazing to see this incredible initiative continue to grow and grow,” said Laura Henderson spokesperson for Frontiers for Young Minds. “With over 100 million people seeing Volume 1, we can’t wait to see what Volume 2 will achieve. The generosity and support of our Nobelist authors mean that their extraordinary work can now be read by young people anywhere in the world.”

The journal attributes the success of the Nobel Collection—at least partially—to curiosity.

“The scientific journeys of Nobel laureates are fueled by an intense, life-long search for answers—the same curiosity that motivates [young minds] to read these articles,” writes the journal on its website.

 

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