Teaching Stellar Nucleosynthesis in Montessori

In Montessori classrooms the idea of our connection as humans to creation is a key part of helping children understand the interconnectedness of the universe.

Stellar Nucleosynthesis is the way in which stars create heavier chemical elements through nuclear fusion. Hydrogen and helium are the first elements created. All of the elements that make up Earth have been formed over billions of years through the life cycle of stars through fusion. Fusion allows new heavier elements to be created and while doing so energy is released. 

Teaching Stellar Nucleosynthesis to students is a great way for students to see the connection between us as humans (we have elements in side us) to the distant stars.

This lesson is best for children eight plus.

You can get it from my freebie library here, I've also included an optional listening comprehension sheet in there too.

As a follow up your child can also use this freebie to colour in the different elements. 

This could also lead to a discussion on the periodic table.

To really bring this to life the work of scientist Jennifer Johnson is amazing she uses an annotated periodic table to show when and where the different elements we use are made.

As an aside Margaret Burbridge was one of the founders in stellar nucleosynthesis and unfortunately also experienced sexism in her work too.