Project:
Make an illustrated children's book or create a cartoon strip/comic book showing the life of both a sunlike star and a more massive star. Here's the catch; the book must be written so it can be understood by a child in the third grade. No large words, no long drawn out descriptions. Keep it simple and accurate, colorful and correct.

References:
Astronomy , Dinah Moche, pages 114-134 (or almost any astronomy text)
Cosmic Evolution Epoch 3: Stellar Evolution
Chandra: Stellar Evolution - see the interactive site at the bottom
Astronomy Notes: The Lives and Deaths of Stars
Imagine the Universe: The Life Cycles of Stars
Star Life Cycle - Zoom Astronomy
Animations of stellar evolution
Stars and Nebulae
Chandra Photo Album - source of images
Hubble Gallery - source of images

Procedure:
1. Print out the pages (you may wish to do this on a color printer): Small Star Sequence and Massive Star Sequence. These are useful for taking notes as you research stellar evolution.

2. Use the references to research the stages and processes in the life of both sunlike stars and massive stars as they go through “birth, childhood, adolescence, maturity, middle age, old age and death”. Important vocabulary you should be looking for (and should include in your book!):

nebula protostar gravity fusion infrared star (hydrostatic) equilibrium main sequence hydrogen

white dwarf black dwarf nova supernova neutron star pulsars black hole planetary nebula collapse

3. The book (comic strip) should include at least one illustration per page (frame) and no more than 25 words per page (frame). Remember, they both should include accurate and complete information, the children’s book in a way that is understandable by children and enjoyable and the cartoon in a humorous way.

4. The book (comic strip) should be illustrated in color. Use crayons, markers, pastels, water colors, color printers, mixed media, etc.

5. The book (comic strip) should include a glossary of terms and their definitions. No definition should exceed the 25 word limit, although the glossary pages can have more than 25 words per page (consult the word list above).

6. Include a works consulted page (bibliography) of sites and resources used in constructing your project.

Grading:

preparation (research notes and rough draft) completeness and accuracy of information creativity and effort quality of illustrations

10 points 50 points 20 points 20 points