ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: One 50-minute period
MODULE OBJECTIVE:
Components | |||
Engagement | Warm-up activity and questions regarding the crushing of a styrofoam cup. | Individual or small groups | Overhead projector (OP) or PowerPoint (PP) to post the Warm Up questions, and small styrofoam cups for the first day. |
Exploration | Discussion of student answers and presentation of various images of nebulae and regions of star formation. Use an inflated balloon to further illustrate the balance between gravity and nuclear fusion. | Small groups | Overhead projector (OP) or PowerPoint (PP) to show the images and A Human Nebula activity questions. Balloons. |
Explanation | The sun formed from a cloud of dust and gas that collapsed and underwent nuclear fusion at its core. The greater the size of a star, the greater its gravity, the greater the energy released by nuclear fusion. | Small groups | Access to the internet: Fusion Animations |
Extension | Research the history of the hydrogen bomb, or the different kinds of nebulae. | Small groups | Access to the internet. Astronomy Picture of the Day Archive |
Evaluation | Students will be evaluated on the quality of their answers. | Small groups | Rubric (of studentís design if desired) |
EXPECTED MODULE OUTCOMES: