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A teaching module about stellar structure and evolution

Journal
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
•
Galano, Silvia
•
•
•
DOI
Abstract
In this paper, we present a teaching module about stellar structure, functioning and evolution. Drawing from literature in astronomy education, we designed the activities around three key ideas: spectral analysis, mechanical and thermal equilibrium, energy and nuclear reactions. The module is divided into four phases, in which the key ideas for describing stars' functioning and physical mechanisms are gradually introduced. The activities (20 hours) build on previously learned laws in mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism and help students combine them meaningfully in order to get a complete picture of processes that happens in stars.

The module was piloted with two intact classes of secondary school students (N = 59 students, 17-18 years old), using a ten-question multiple-choice questionnaire as research instrument. Results support the effectiveness of the proposed activities. Implications for the teaching of advanced physics topics using stars as fruitful context are briefly discussed.

Volume
52
Issue
1
Start page
015012
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0031-9120
Ads BibCode
2017PhyEd..52a5012C
Rights
restricted
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Colantonio_2017_Phys._Educ._52_015012.pdf

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