Activity Overview
All stars will eventually come to their end, but what the star’s life cycle looks like depends on the size and mass of the nebula at the start of the star’s life. In this activity, students will narrate the stages in a star's life. For this, they should focus on the life cycle of stars with a mass similar to that of our Sun. This will ensure that they aren't confused about the steps.
As an extension, have your students compare the life cycle of a star with a similar mass of our Sun to a star with a mass much larger than our Sun. To make this activity more accessible, print off the completed example storyboard, cut it up, and have your students put it together in the correct order.
Stages in the Life Cycle of a Star
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Nebula | A nebula is a cloud of dust and gas that collapses under its own weight. As the cloud collapses, it gets warmer. When it reaches a certain temperature, nuclear fusion starts. |
| Main Sequence Star | At this stage, the outward pressure caused by nuclear fusion is balanced by the force of gravity holding the star together. The energy created by the nuclear fusion is emitted as radiation. |
| Red Giant | When the has used up its nuclear fuel (hydrogen) the star grows in size and the outer layers cool, making the star red. |
| Planetary Nebula | These are some of the most beautiful objects that can be observed in the night sky. A planetary nebula occurs when the outer layers of the star are lost when moving from a red giant to a white dwarf. |
| White Dwarf | A white dwarf is a hot, small, dense, dead star. This is the core of a star that remains after the outer layers have drifted off in the planetary nebula. |
| Black Dwarf | After a long period of time, the hot, dense core known as a white dwarf cools and stops radiating light. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows show the life cycle of a star with a mass similar to that of our Sun.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label each cell with the titles of the different stages in the star’s life. Add more cells if necessary.
- Use shapes, props, and Textables to create visualizations to illustrate each stage. Alternatively, use images from Photos for Class.
- Describe what happens in each stage in the description box under each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 13 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stages | All the stages in the star's lifecycle have been identified and put in the correct order. | Most of the stages in the star's lifecycle have been identified and and most are in the correct order. | Some of the stages in the star's lifecycle have been identified and and some are in the correct order. |
| Illustration | Every stage has a correct and descriptive image. | Most stages have a correct and descriptive image. | Some stages have a correct and descriptive image. |
| Descriptions | All the stages have a clear description which contains good scientific vocabulary. | Most stages have a clear description. | Some stages have a clear description. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
All stars will eventually come to their end, but what the star’s life cycle looks like depends on the size and mass of the nebula at the start of the star’s life. In this activity, students will narrate the stages in a star's life. For this, they should focus on the life cycle of stars with a mass similar to that of our Sun. This will ensure that they aren't confused about the steps.
As an extension, have your students compare the life cycle of a star with a similar mass of our Sun to a star with a mass much larger than our Sun. To make this activity more accessible, print off the completed example storyboard, cut it up, and have your students put it together in the correct order.
Stages in the Life Cycle of a Star
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Nebula | A nebula is a cloud of dust and gas that collapses under its own weight. As the cloud collapses, it gets warmer. When it reaches a certain temperature, nuclear fusion starts. |
| Main Sequence Star | At this stage, the outward pressure caused by nuclear fusion is balanced by the force of gravity holding the star together. The energy created by the nuclear fusion is emitted as radiation. |
| Red Giant | When the has used up its nuclear fuel (hydrogen) the star grows in size and the outer layers cool, making the star red. |
| Planetary Nebula | These are some of the most beautiful objects that can be observed in the night sky. A planetary nebula occurs when the outer layers of the star are lost when moving from a red giant to a white dwarf. |
| White Dwarf | A white dwarf is a hot, small, dense, dead star. This is the core of a star that remains after the outer layers have drifted off in the planetary nebula. |
| Black Dwarf | After a long period of time, the hot, dense core known as a white dwarf cools and stops radiating light. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows show the life cycle of a star with a mass similar to that of our Sun.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label each cell with the titles of the different stages in the star’s life. Add more cells if necessary.
- Use shapes, props, and Textables to create visualizations to illustrate each stage. Alternatively, use images from Photos for Class.
- Describe what happens in each stage in the description box under each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 13 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stages | All the stages in the star's lifecycle have been identified and put in the correct order. | Most of the stages in the star's lifecycle have been identified and and most are in the correct order. | Some of the stages in the star's lifecycle have been identified and and some are in the correct order. |
| Illustration | Every stage has a correct and descriptive image. | Most stages have a correct and descriptive image. | Some stages have a correct and descriptive image. |
| Descriptions | All the stages have a clear description which contains good scientific vocabulary. | Most stages have a clear description. | Some stages have a clear description. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Narrative of the Life of a Star
Organize a Hands-On Star Life Cycle Model Activity
Give students physical materials (like clay, colored paper, or beads) to build each stage of a star’s life cycle. This engaging approach helps students visualize and remember complex concepts more easily.
Assign clear roles for group participation
Divide your class into small groups and assign each student a specific stage of the star life cycle to create and present. Sharing responsibility boosts collaboration and ensures active participation from everyone.
Guide students to label and describe each model stage
Ask students to attach labels and write short descriptions for their model pieces. This reinforces science vocabulary and strengthens their understanding of what happens at each stage.
Facilitate a class walk-through and discussion
Invite each group to explain their models and answer questions about their assigned stage. This promotes peer learning and helps clarify any misunderstandings about the star life cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions about Narrative of the Life of a Star
What are the main stages in the life cycle of a star like our Sun?
The main stages in the life cycle of a Sun-like star are: nebula (cloud of gas and dust), main sequence star (stable, fusing hydrogen), red giant (expands and cools as hydrogen runs out), planetary nebula (outer layers shed), white dwarf (dense, hot core remains), and black dwarf (cooled remnant).
How can students create a storyboard about a star’s life cycle?
Students can create a storyboard by labeling each cell with key stages (nebula, main sequence, red giant, planetary nebula, white dwarf, black dwarf), drawing or adding images for each phase, and writing brief descriptions. This visual approach helps illustrate the changes a star undergoes over time.
What is the difference between the life cycle of a Sun-like star and a massive star?
Sun-like stars end as white dwarfs and black dwarfs, while massive stars often explode as supernovae and can become neutron stars or black holes. The initial mass determines the star's ultimate fate and the stages it passes through.
Why does a star become a red giant?
A star becomes a red giant when it exhausts its hydrogen fuel in the core. The core contracts and heats up, causing the outer layers to expand and cool, giving the star a reddish appearance and much larger size.
What classroom activities help students understand the life cycle of stars?
Effective classroom activities include storyboarding each stage, sequencing cut-out cards, using visual props, and comparing life cycles of different mass stars. These hands-on methods reinforce comprehension of stellar evolution.
More Storyboard That Activities
Life Cycle of a Star
This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides
- Planetary Nebula • NASA Goddard Photo and Video • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- The Orion Nebula and cluster from the VLT Survey Telescope • European Southern Observatory • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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