Nobel Prize Activity
The best TOK lessons use real-world materials and recent examples. And in Nobel season, what better way to celebrate than by showing students how relevant TOK is in the Nobel Prize world? I hope this small activity will inspire you to develop it into a valuable lesson for your students.
Today I want to share a small TOK activity linked to the Nobel Prize season.
It is called: Beyond the Headline
Ask students to form 6 small groups. Give each group one prize announcement, press release, or official description of the discovery, and a news report. Suggestions for materials are listed below. In 20–30 minutes, ask them to:
1. Identify the contribution: What is the achievement awarded? What is its value? Why is it valuable and for whom?
2. Explore the accompanying knowledge questions listed below.
Nobel Prize | Possible Materials | Knowledge Questions |
| Physics | Ice at the South Pole reveals cosmic particle accelerators Francis Halzen wins Nobel physics prize for Antarctic 'ghost particle' hunt |
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| Chemistry | They solved chemistry’s asymmetric mystery Chemistry Nobel awarded for solving mystery of how ‘handed’ organic molecules can emerge |
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| Physiology or Medicine | A light-sensitive algal protein energised neuroscience Nobel medicine prize goes to 3 scientists for shining light on brain activity |
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| Economics | Microfoundations deliver macro insights Hall, Woodford win Nobel prize for work on how to stabilise economies |
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| Literature | The Nobel Prize in Literature 2026 Genre-defying Canadian poet Anne Carson wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature |
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| Peace | Announcement, Nobel Peace Prize 2026 South African-born jurist Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for her work in international justice |
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Other materials can be found at nobelprize.org
3. Evaluate the reporting: Compare the Nobel text with the news report. How does each present the achievement, its value, and its limitations? Identify one difference in emphasis or language, and discuss how it might shape the reader’s understanding.
4. Finish the sentence: “This example shows that … However, …”
I hope, you will find it useful!