Supernova Teacher Resources

How does a massive star go supernova? This video is a follow up to the Kahn Academy video on the life cycle of massive stars and explains the chemical collapse that results in a supernova. Sal explains the process with neutron stars and...

Have all your supernova questions answered with this four and a half minute video clip. You'll discover that a supernova is really the death of an expanding star, that there are different types of supernovas, and what their effects are...

This link takes you to a comprehensive unit that delves into emission spectra and supernovas. There are four parts: How and where elements are created, electromagnetic radiation, spectroscopy, and the newest technology for studying our...

Using spectroscopes, high school astronomy, physics, or chemistry learners observe emission spectra from several different sources. This stellar NASA-produced lesson plan provides terrific teacher's notes and a student handout. Make sure...

In need of a clarification on the last Kahn Academy video on supernova? A short video explains that while humans saw the event that became the Crab Nebula 1,000 years ago, the actual event took place 7, 500 years ago.

While a star explodes every second or so in the observable universe, we can't observe a supernova in its first moments. Discover the fascinating science behind how astronomers and physicists are attempting to detect supernovas early...

Supernovas burn for a short time but can give scientists extensive information about the universe. Learners analyze given data about the change in the light magnitude of a supernova. They look for patterns in the data and use them to...

In this supernova worksheet, students read about the expanding supernova shell that was discovered by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Students solve two problems including finding the scale of the given images and determining the average...

By measuring the wavelength, frequency, and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, scientists determine the temperature, density, and composition of far away items. Scholars rotate through ten lab stations using a spectroscope at each...

Fifth graders relate the elements in the human body to those produced during a supernova. In this space science and chemistry lesson, 5th graders listen to a lecture and view visuals about the big bang. They relate the production of...

Your class will never believe that their gold jewelry originated in outer space, but it's true! Learn about the way Earth's gold supply originated in a supernova and became integrated with our planet's terrain with a short, informative...

What do you get when astronomers rewrite beloved children's songs? THIS! Hear the tune Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as it was meant to be — from a scientist's perspective. Physics scholars follow along to a scientifically correct...

From supernova to neutron star ... what's next? A video presentation describes a neutron star and its life in the universe. Learners then answer questions online to asses their understanding.

This assignment has young scientists read four different news articles about the 2011 Nobel Prize winners. Six questions are posed for children to write the answers. It is a relevant activity for getting middle schoolers to meet the...

Supernova explosions mark the end of a star's life. Guide the class through an investigation that uses data to calculate the age of a supernova remnant. Using provided data and online software, they analyze data to determine the radius...

It's better to burn out than fade away! Viewers experience the birth of neutron stars and supernovae in a video that explains the life cycle of high mass stars. Learners see the conditions needed to produce these events, as well as...

Can you get a golf ball to bounce 28 feet high? The video demonstrates the impressive bounce of a stacked ball drop. After explaining the physics of the ball drop and bounce, the video relates it to supernovas. The science content comes...

The walking dead of the sky have been discovered! As a recent discovery, much is yet to be determined, but it is clear zombie stars do exist. An episode of a larger solar system playlist explains how a special supernova leaves behind...

Just when is the universe's birthdate? Pupils use previously collected spectra data to find the redshift and radial velocity of supernovas. They then calculate the distance before finally creating a Hubble diagram. Finally, individuals...

Throughout the elementary grades students explore the galaxy. This simple presentation listing the types of stars could be used as a quick review of the information students have learned. It could be augmented with additional information.

You're only 10 minutes late? Do you know how much the universe has expanded in those 10 minutes? Scholars graph supernovae based on their redshift and see if the results verify Hubble's Law. If it does confirm it, the universe is...

In this space science instructional activity, students complete each statement with the correct word or phrase that related to the life-cycle of a star. Then they list the correct order of a stars life cycle. Students also define...

Decorate your screen with a cosmic wallpaper featuring the Orion Nebula, Helix Nebula, or Supernova.

In this measuring speed in the universe worksheet, students use photographs of 3 astronomical phenomena including supernova explosions, coronal mass ejections and solar flare shock waves to find how fast they move. The photographs show...