The Life and Death of Stars
Show and Explain how stars are born, create new elements through nuclear fusion, and then die, and how scientists can determine what stars are made of using their stellar
“fingerprint”. Be sure to include all of the listed vocabulary words as you create your visual model. Use the learning targets below to guide your model.
Learning Targets Vocabulary
Fingerprinting the Stars
o I can explain how elements emit and absorb specific wavelengths of light
o I can identify the unknown elements in a star based on their absorption spectra
Gravity Black Hole
Stellar Fusion Emission Spectra Neutron Star
o I can model and explain how fusion is the mechanism for element formation in stars when Spectral Lines White Dwarf
the nuclei of atoms come together
o I can explain how energy, in the form of EM radiation, is released as a bi-product of fusion
Photon Black Dwarf
The Life Cycle of Stars Spectroscope Main Sequence
o I can explain how matter in the universe, with the help of gravity, comes together to start Fusion Red Giant
fusion and form a star
o I can model the life cycle of a star and determine its final destiny based on its original mass
Hydrostatic Equilibrium Red Super Giant
Star Hertzsprung-Russel (HR) Diagram
Modelling Rubric Content Rubric
4 --Above Standard 3—At Standard 2—Approaching Standard 1--Well Below Standard 4 --Above Standard 3—At Standard 2—Approaching Standard 1—Needs Improvement
Students complete All 5 bullets Model addresses the life, Students successfully Students successfully Model addresses all six learning Model addresses all six learning Model addresses 4-5 of the Model addresses fewer than 4
for Level 3 AND death and composition of incorporate 3-4 of the 5 incorporate 1-2 of the targets completely and in a clear and targets accurately using pictures learning targets accurately using of the learning targets
Students evaluate the competing stars bullet points in Level 3 bullet points in Level 3 cohesive way using pictures and and words that communicates pictures and words that accurately using pictures and
models and make revisions to Model can be used to make words that communicates how stars how stars work and how we communicates how stars work words to communicate how
their own predictions about the fate of work and how we know what they are know what they are composed and how we know what they are stars work and how we know
Students develop one or more a star composed of. of. Some details may be missing. composed of. what they are composed of.
testable questions based on your Model can be
evidence from stars revised/revisable based on
new information
Model is based
Neatness, Color and Creativity (non-standards bearing)
on empirical data and 4 --Above Standard 3—At Standard 2—Approaching Standard 1—Needs Improvement
evidence from HR Diagram
and known-element spectra Model is exceptionally neat, well Model is neat, well thought out Model is somewhat neat and Model creativity and clarity
Model describes thought out, easy to read and full of and is easy to read easy to read needs improvement
the relationship between color
components
