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The purpose of this exercise is to help
students understand something that is new to
them (H-R Diagram) by using something they
are very familiar
with (food). Although the H-R Diagram is
an important concept in astronomy, many
students have a difficult time
understanding that it is a tool used to classify
stars. This introductory exercise will help
them understand that it isn't a map or picture of the stars, but rather a way to classify them. First I ask students to think of foods. Tell them to list two foods that are good for them (their opinion). Also, have them list two that are bad for them, and two that have average nutritional value. Next, sketch a rectangle on the board and label it as shown in the diagram below. Call on individual students to give the name of a food and tell where to place the name of that food on the rectangle. Since there are a wide variety of opinions when it comes to foods, tell them that the placement is based solely on the opinion of the person who is called upon. As the exercise continues, ask students to think of foods that might be placed in the areas of the rectangle that are empty. After several minutes I point out that what we have been doing is classifying foods based on two criteria. Now they are ready to understand that the H-R Diagram is simply a way to classify stars based on two criteria . . . brightness and temperature.  |
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Montana Earth Science Pictures of the Week |