Catch Up Friday:

Numeracy and Literacy

Physical Science
WARM-UP
ACTIVITY 1
Direction: The class will be divided into teams of five. Each team will pick
a number between 1 and 100. The teacher will then announce a word
corresponding to their chosen number. Using the letters from that word,
each team must collaboratively create a new word.

Example: APPLE
Teacher’s Instruction: Each letter of the word must be an animal.
Ant
Penguin
Pelican
Lizard
Elephant
CONTENT:

Stardust in Our Veins: The Distribution of

Elements in the Universe (with a touch of
Mindanao's Indigenous wisdom)
 Every atom in your body, from the
calcium in your bones to the iron in your
blood, was once part of a star. That's
right, we are literally made of "stardust"!
But how did all these elements, from
lightweight hydrogen to complex gold,
come to be?
 Our journey starts with the Big Bang, the explosive birth
of the universe. At this very hot and dense point, only the
simplest elements, hydrogen and helium, existed. Over
millions of years, the universe expanded and cooled,
allowing these elements to clump together under gravity,
forming the first stars.
 Inside these stellar furnaces, enormous pressure and heat
triggered nuclear fusion, where lighter elements combine to
form heavier ones. Hydrogen fused into helium, then helium
into carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. As stars reached the end
of their lives, they exploded in supernovae, scattering these
newly formed elements throughout the universe.
 This cycle of stellar birth, life, and death continued for
billions of years, enriching the universe with a diverse range
of elements. Elements heavier than iron, like gold and
uranium, are not readily produced by fusion but can be
forged in the violent collisions of neutron stars.
 So, how are elements distributed in the universe? Most
of the universe (around 73%) is hydrogen, followed by
helium (25%). Heavier elements are much less common, but
they are still crucial for forming planets, moons, and even
life itself.
 Here on Earth, the majority of elements are locked away
in the core, while others like oxygen, silicon, and aluminum
make up the crust and mantle. The elements we rely on for
life, like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, are present in
trace amounts but essential for biological processes.
 Understanding the distribution of elements in the
universe not only helps us appreciate our cosmic origins but
also sheds light on how our planet and life itself formed. It's
a reminder that we are all interconnected, part of a vast and
wondrous cosmic dance of elements.
Weaving in the Wisdom of Mindanao's
Indigenous People:
 While science offers a powerful lens to understand the
universe, it's important to remember that different cultures
have their own unique ways of explaining the world around
them. The Indigenous groups of Mindanao, for example,
have a rich tapestry of myths and legends that weave
together elements of nature, spirituality, and the origins of
existence.
 These stories, passed down through generations, often
describe the creation of the earth and sky as being born from
the union of different elements. In some tales, mountains are
said to be the solidified bodies of ancient spirits, while rivers
flow with the lifeblood of the land. These narratives, while
distinct from scientific explanations, offer valuable insights
into the deep connection these communities have with the
natural world and the elements that compose it.
 By appreciating both scientific understanding and the
rich cultural perspectives of Indigenous groups, we gain a
more holistic understanding of our place in the universe and
the interconnectedness of all things.
ACTIVITY 2
Direction: The class divides into groups of 3-4 members, each are tasked with building
a light element model (hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium) using only paper,
notebooks, pens (get creative!). No borrowing! Show off proton, neutron, and electron
numbers in each element. Brainstorm together, label clearly, and let your creativity
shine! Explain your model when ready. Let's explore the tiny building blocks of the
universe!
Presentation of
Atomic Models
Guide Questions for the Content:

1. The passage describes how stars create heavier elements

through nuclear fusion. What evidence do we have that stars
are responsible for the element distribution we see in the
universe today? Explain your answer.
Guide Questions for the Content:

2. We are told that we are literally made of "stardust." How

does understanding the distribution of elements in the
universe help us appreciate our place in the cosmos and the
interconnectedness of everything?.
Guide Questions for the Content:

3. Alongside scientific knowledge, how do the elements play

a role in the traditional practices and cultural beliefs of
Indigenous groups in Mindanao? Explore specific examples
from their rituals, ceremonies, or traditional medicine, and
consider how these practices demonstrate their unique
understanding of the interconnectedness of elements and the
natural world.
Wrap-UP
In your journal or on a separate piece of paper, answer the following
reflection questions:

• How does understanding element distribution connect to your place in

the universe, both from a scientific and Indigenous perspective?
• If you could travel to a place rich in your element, what would you see
and experience, considering both scientific knowledge and the beliefs of
a specific Indigenous group in Mindanao?
Thank you very
much!