Next Generation Science Standards

Conexión con el Diseño de Bases Curriculares

En esta investigación, los estudiantes exploran diferentes tipos de supernovas y cómo se utilizan para medir distancias en el espacio. Los estudiantes podrán transferir los conocimientos y habilidades aprendidas en esta investigación a nuevos problemas o situaciones. La investigación ayuda a desarrollar habilidades de alfabetización científica a medida que analizan datos reales y comunican sus hallazgos utilizando la tecnología. La comprensión por parte de los estudiantes de la naturaleza de la ciencia se ve reforzada por conceptos que se abordan a lo largo de la investigación, como que el conocimiento científico se basa en pruebas empíricas y que el conocimiento científico se construye gradualmente utilizando procedimientos reproducibles. Por último, la investigación Explosiones Estelares une a la ciencia, la tecnología y la sociedad, ya que los avances tecnológicos (del Observatorio Vera C. Rubin) permitirán descubrir nuevas supernovas de tipo Ia y medir distancias con mayor precisión.

Science literacy and critical thinking skills

Analyzing and interpreting data
Using mathematical and computational thinking

Three dimensional lesson summary:

Students identify the types of stars that exploded by their light curves, then fit models to the light curves of some supernovae and measure their peak magnitudes in order to calculate the distances to their host galaxies.

Building towards:

HS-ESS1-1 Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to release energy that eventually reaches Earth in the form of radiation.

HS-ESS1-2 Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.

HS-ESS1-3 Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Evaluate merits and limitations of two different models of the same proposed tool, process, mechanism or system in order to select or revise a model that best fits the evidence or design criteria.
Use a model (including mathematical and computational) to generate data to solve problems.

Students determine the type of supernova by identifying the pattern of its light curve data.
Students fit light curve models to data to determine the peak apparent magnitude of a supernova.

Using Mathematical and Computational Thinking

Use mathematical, computational, and/or algorithmic representations of phenomena to describe and/or support claims and/or explanations.
Apply techniques of algebra and functions to represent and solve scientific problems.

Students use a mathematical representation and an algebraic function to calculate distances to supernovae.

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g.,computational, mathematical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims.
Compare and contrast various types of data sets (e.g., self-generated, archival) to examine consistency of measurements and observations.

Students iterate the fitting of model light curves to determine the peak intrinsic brightness of several supernovae.
Students compare and contrast their self-generated set of supernovae data with a larger set of known supernovae.

Disciplinary Core Idea

HS-ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars

The study of stars’ light spectra and brightness is used to identify compositional elements of stars, their movements, and their distances from Earth.
Nuclear fusion within stars releases electromagnetic energy. Heavier elements are produced when certain massive stars achieve a supernova stage and explode.

Students analyze the pattern of changes in a supernova’s brightness to determine the type of supernova and its progenitor star.
Students use the peak of emitted light (electromagnetic energy) from a supernova explosion to calculate the distance from Earth to the supernova.

Crosscutting Concept

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

The significance of a phenomenon is dependent on the scale, proportion, and quantity at which it occurs.

Students learn that stars of different masses achieve different intrinsic peak luminosities when they become a supernova.
Students discover that the rate of decline of a Type Ia supernova’s brightness is related to its intrinsic peak luminosity.

Connections to Nature of Science

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems

Science assumes that objects and events in natural systems occur in consistent patterns that are understandable through measurement and observation.
Scientific knowledge is based on the assumption that natural laws operate today as they did in the past and they will continue to do so in the future.
Science assumes the universe is a vast single system in which basic laws are consistent.

Students use the pattern of changes in a supernova’s brightness to determine the type of supernova and its progenitor star.
Students make the assumption that regardless of distance from Earth (equivalent to the time of a supernova’s light travel) the pattern of brightness changes in various types of supernova remains constant.
Students learn that the pattern of brightness changes and the peak luminosity is dependent on the mass of the progenitor star.

Physics - Earth-Space Science Correlation Table

Are you working on integrating Earth-Space Science standards into your Physics class? Click on the link below and make of a copy of this Google Sheet to search by Performance Expectation (PE), Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI), or Rubin Observatory investigation.

Physics - Earth-Space Science Correlation Table

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