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Make a Scale Model of The Solar System
Grades 4-12, One to Two Days

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Purpose
To create a model showing the scale of the solar system and the sequence of the planets.

Overview
Students create their solar system model by positioning the paper cut-outs of the planets they made in the activity, Make a Scale Model of the Planets, at the correct distances from their model sun.

Key Concepts

  • The solar system is large when compared with the size of the sun and planets.
  • To create a scale model in a room or school yard that could include all the planets, the scale would have to be much bigger, making the planets much smaller Ð sometimes the size of sand grains

Skills

  • Creating a scale model
  • Estimating and Measuring distances
  • Reading a map
  • Understanding the scale of the solar system and the sequence of the planets

Materials
Paper circles depicting the sun and planets (see the activity, Make a Scale Model of the Planets), measuring tape, large area such as a playing field, "Distance from the Sun" chart, map of the local area

Time
One class period


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