Are We Really Stardust? (On grade)_04
You are a product of stars that have gone supernovae. That is right, you too are really stardust. Almost 99% of your body is made up of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms. While your body regenerates cells every 7 to 15 years, the atoms that make up those cells have existed since the Big Bang. Just imagine, the atoms from a limited number of elements combine to make your body. Different types of atoms combine to make molecules. Molecules combine to make organelles. Cells are made up of organelles. In larger organisms, cells combine to make tissues, which are groups of similar cells carrying out similar or related functions.

As you gather your books for school, you remind your mother of her promise to bake a cake for your birthday. “How many candles do I need again?” she asks, acting like she does not remember your age. “Well, Mom,” you say, “if I am made of stardust, we are going to need a lot of candles.” “Later, Mom,” you say with a chuckle as you head out the door for school. “Later My Special Stardust,” you hear her say as you are closing the door.