Discoverer of the First Radio Pulsars in Space
About:
Jocelyn Bell Burnell is a Northern Irish astrophysicist who discovered the first radio pulsars while she was still a
graduate student in 1967. Her careful observation of an unusual signal from space led to a major breakthrough in
astronomy, though the Nobel Prize for the discovery was later given to her supervisor. Her work changed how
scientists understand dead stars and the universe. This worksheet explores her early life, her discovery, and her
lasting impact on science.
What’s Included:
This worksheet features Article (5 paragraphs), True/False (16 statements), Comprehension Questions (6),
Multiple Choice (15), Word Search (15 words), Crossword (10 clues), and Odd One Out (30 words).
Target Grades:
Grades 5-8
Teacher Note:
This worksheet is a great opportunity to discuss both scientific discovery and fairness in recognition, since Bell
Burnell was not included in the Nobel Prize awarded for her work. Encourage students to debate the evaluation
question about credit in scientific teams.