16.1.3 Earning Stars
The core loop: starting a conversation, demonstrating understanding, and the rules for lighting up a star.
This is the heart of Galaxy. Starting a conversation is not enough — a star is earned by demonstrating real understanding over a genuine conversation.
How to earn a star, step by step
- From the Galaxy screen, pick a constellation and look for the stars that are still unlit.
- Click "Earn this star" on an unlit star. (You can also start from suggested star "starters" that appear in an empty chat.)
- The app opens a chat for that star — reopening an existing one if you've started it before, or beginning a fresh one. The conversation auto-starts with the tutor introducing the topic.
- The conversation is now bound to that star, and a progress bar (the "depth meter") appears above the messages.
- As you show understanding, the progress bar fills. The star lights up only when the mastery criteria are met, and the app shows an on-screen celebration.
The rules that govern earning a star
- Up to 4 stars per day. There's a daily cap of 4 curriculum stars. Today's progress shows as "X/4 stars today."
- It takes time and depth. A star can only light once the progress bar reaches its final "Mastered" notch and the conversation has been going for at least about 10 minutes. One good answer won't do it — sustained, demonstrated understanding will.
Why it helps
Because stars are earned through genuine conversation, lighting one up really means something. You can't skip ahead by guessing — you get there by understanding, and the tutor keeps stretching you the whole way.