Star Light Star Bright

Curricular concept: Explain the relationship among objects in the solar system, galaxy, and the universe. Understand how astronomers use various strategies to classify stars. Explain the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

Grade level:7th

Tools needed:star patterns, scissors, markers/crayons, large poster paper, glue

Web resources:

Star Light Star Bright lesson

Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

Strategy:

One of the most difficult concepts for students to understand is the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. I have found that by using the lesson, "Star Light, Star Bright," the understanding about what the H-R diagram is and how to use it greatly increases.

First, run off the star patterns found on the lesson website. There are about 25 stars which need to be given to each group of 4 students. I then have students quickly color the stars as indicated on the pattern and cut them out. We talk about the information given on each star: name, color, size, surface temperature and luminosity (brightness compared to sun).

Next, I ask each group to try and place the stars into categories. After about 10 minutes, I get feedback from each group on the possibilities of classifying stars. (All of the teaching strategies are laid out carefully in the lesson.)

Now I challenge the students to arrange their stars on a large piece of poster paper by using two of the characteristics that we discussed. They must decide on which two characteristics and glue the stars accordingly on their chart. After stars are glued down, one person from each group stays with their star chart. The others move on to view the other groups' charts. After doing this gallery walk, we discuss similarities and differences that they found.

Lastly, we go to the internet to see how Hertzsprung and Russell went through the same process and from their study of stars, the H-R diagram emerged.

The first interactive diagram shows a star going through a life cycle on the H-R diagram. Point out to the students that the surface temperature of the star is on the bottom of the chart and the luminosity is on the y axis.

The second H-R diagram (the family portrait) has a simplified H-R diagram and about 14 questions for the students to answer. The students seemed to understand and answer the questions fairly quickly. The activity certainly allowed the students to construct their own view of the classification of stars.

Posted by Stargazer