The Origin and Evolution of the Universe (9-12)

* The origin of the universe remains one of the greatest questions in science. The "big bang" theory places the origin between 10 and 20 billion years ago.  * Early in the history of the universe, matter clumped together by gravitational attraction to form countless trillions of stars.  * Stars produce energy from nuclear reactions, primarily from the fusion of hydrogen to form helium. These processes in stars have led to the formation of all the other elements.  (NSES, 1996)

This "learning tool" comes to us from the Wright Center for Science Education. It is called Cosmic Evolution. A clever time line configuration makes it easy for students to "navigate" through the major events in the life of the cosmos.

The name of this clever, well designed "learning tool" is called Design Your Own Universe. Students can set some parameters and test the fate of the universe! Make sure that you read the instructions first to get a sense of what is going on. This interactive was developed by the Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development group. Be sure to visit their other interactives at their Science Lab.

This learning tool is a simple tool to show stellar evolution. When you get to the diagram just click on the star and you will see it go through the stages of it's life. This comes to us from Cornell University. The simulation shows the evolution of a star in the H-R diagram. To see a star evolve, simply click on the star or choose a mass with the slide bar and press go.

NASA has always been a leader in science education. The name of this "learning tool" is called The Birth Of Binary Stars. Students can manipulate variable to see how binary star systems form. This is a unique and elegant interactive from one of the leaders in science and science education.  This comes to us from the NASA Computational Technologies Project Science Interactives.

The Powers of Ten is a wonderful "learning tool" to give students a perspective on earth and space, and our place in it. This "learning tool" comes to us from an elegant site for microscopy called Molecular Expressions.

The name of this "learning tool" is called The Nearest Stars. This visual lesson is conceptually clear and exceptionally well designed. Once you get to the site,  read the introduction and then click on the 3-D tab, once you get there you can click and drag the diagram. This tool was produced by Sumanas, Inc. This company has created some of the most well executed animations for life science and statistics.

Another incredible learning tool from Google, this one is called Google Sky. Google Sky Maps allows allows you to view celestial objects, including stars, constellations, galaxies, planets and the Earth's moon. Not sure how to start? Once you get to Google Sky, just click on the "Help" button. A fantastic way to explore the universe from your computer.

This is just an incredible learning tool from Microsoft called the WorldWide Telescope. Yes, it does require to download some software and yes, it is just for Windows at this point, but it is such an amazing tool. It is worth the time and effort. WorldWide Telescope enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope, bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world. Experience narrated guided tours from astronomers and educators featuring interesting places in the sky.

Elegant and interesting the name of this "learning tool" is called Build Your Own Star. Use the star simulator to build your own star! You determine the fate of your star by setting initial characteristics. Then watch as its life story unfolds before your eyes. This interactive was developed by the Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development group. Be sure to visit their other interactives at their Science Lab.   

This "learning tool" is called H-R Diagram.  One of the most innovative science education companies is Explorelearning.com, they call their simulations, Gizmos. They are a subscription site, but they allow you to see this Gizmo for 5 minutes.   Shockwave is required.