Teaching sequence

Lesson objective

In this lesson students develop an understanding of the relationship between the life cycle of a star and its size. They recognise that there is a continuous cycle of stellar birth, life and death and that the formation of planets and other celestial objects are a consequence of that cycle.

Introduction

View the video Space with Sam Neill: star stuff, part 1 of 3.

Impress on students that while the Big Bang theory describes the beginning of the universe, the continuous cycle of stellar birth in nebulae, life and finally the death of a star are what leads to the formation of new elements and other celestial objects.

Core

1. View video Stars: the life and death of stellar fusion engines. 
2. Discuss how the mass of a star is related to its temperature, length of life and process of death.
3. Explain that the more massive a star the more violent will be its death.
4. Have students link to the learning object activity Stellar evolution: a journey with Chandra and use the information to create a flow chart showing the different stages in the life cycle of a medium-size star and a blue supergiant.
5. Display the poster Imagine the universe: the life cycles of stars and ask the students to compare their flowchart with the life cycles represented on the poster. Can they identify any similarities or differences?
6. Discuss the definition and characteristics of a ‘white dwarf’ and a ‘neutron star’.
7. View the video Black holes: warping time and space. 
8. Discuss black holes and the effect they have on matter close to them.

Conclusion

Ask students to nominate what they think is the most astounding fact about the universe.

View the video The most astounding fact. 

Discuss with students whether or not they agree with the presenter’s choice.