Space Mission 5: Our Sun & the Lifecycle of Stars-Ages 10-14 (Semester Course)

As Space is becoming increasingly important in most countries around the world, especially given the amount of Space travel that has recently increased, it is more and more important for our children to know, at least basic knowledge about the Space around us, including all scientists have now learned about Black Holes & Exoplanets! Plus, most learners find this topic to be extremely interesting as their young minds get to explore the possibilities of Space: making it perfect for the explorer in all of us!
Note: This class is a continuation of Space Mission: Astronomy, Astronauts & Exploration & that class is a prerequisite class for this one as we learn many facts about space & key terminology which will be utilized during this course as well. 
Schedule Outline:
Week 1: During our first class, we will be introduced to our Sun, Sol. We will learn how the Sun was formed, and why/how it holds our Solar System together. We will also explore the size of our Sun & discuss the advantages we have on our planet because of the Sun. We will review the terms: Solar System/Planetary System, Gravity, outward pressure, Magnetism.

Week 2: We begin our class with a review of our Sun & how it was formed. Then we will dive into the fiery nature of our Sun, Sol. We will learn about the Structure of the Sun; the Core through the Corona. We will also discuss what happens in each layer of the Sun’s structure, along with key terminology: Nuclear Fusion, photons, & total solar eclipse. If time permits, we will learn a song about the layers of the Sun (if there is not time, this song will be learned during our Week 4 class)

Week 3: We begin with a review of the Layers of the Sun, and then move into a discussion of the Sun’s magnetism, CME’s & Solar winds, and how these affect Earth, as well as how to protect ourselves from the Sun’s damaging light. We also will look at how our Sun compares to other stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Week 4: During this class, we will play a review game covering all we have learned thus far regarding our Sun. We will also learn/practice a song about the layers of the Sun. 

Week 5: Did you know there are many different types of stars? Well, these types of stars are really just different stages in the life cycle of stars, which we begin to discuss during this lesson. We will look at a diagram of the life cycle of stars & discuss how stars form & change during their early lives. Key vocabulary for each stage will be learned for stable stars.

Week 6: We begin our class with a review of the basic types of stars & their life cycle. Afterwards, we dive into the dying stars and what happens as a star dies. We will learn what main-sequence stars can/will turn into & how the processes change inside the stars as they grow old & die. Key vocabulary terms will also be discussed.
 
Week 7: We begin our class with a review of what main-sequence stars can/will turn into & how the processes change inside the stars as they grow old & die. Then we explore the more massive stars (those much bigger than our Sun), and explore how their processes change & what they become as they grow old and die. Key vocabulary terms will also be discussed.

Week 8: During our last class, we will review the lifecycle of stars, both main-sequence stars & massive stars. We will review how these are different & what they become as they die. We will also play a review game together. If time permits, we will review & sing the Sun Song again!

The teacher will use a variety of presentation & teaching tools, including videos, discussions, pictures, and interactive games, as we have fun learning all about the wonders of Space together. There will also be additional materials, notes, color pages, and activities the students can complete in the Outschool classroom, for those looking for supplemental materials.

*Recommended (but not required) Prerequisite Course: Space Mission 1: Astronomy, Astronauts & Exploration