Solar System Model Ideas
Solar system models recreate the arrangement of our planetary system, allowing students to visualize it. Models teach children the names and the order of the planets. A variety of materials work well to produce a model of the planets. The materials available, budget of the project and personal preference influence the type of model chosen. Adaptations to these ideas allow you to customize the solar system to meet the needs of the participants.
Other People Are Reading
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Mobile
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A mobile depicting the planets in the solar system remains a classic option. Use a paper plate as the base for the mobile. A cardboard circle offers another option if you wish to make a larger solar system. Punch holes in the plate to indicate the location of each planet. Trace and cut out planets and other solar system objects printed onto card stock. Hang the space objects from the paper plate, with string holding them in place. Thread the end of each string through a hole in the plate and tape it to the top to hold it in place. The planets dangle below the plate in the correct order. A label for each planet allows kids to learn the order and appearance of each planet.
Edible Planets
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An edible representation of the solar system provides a delicious snack at the end of the project. Use a cake as the base for one edible solar system idea. Spread a layer of icing to create the background for the planets. Use round candy in various sizes and colors to represent the planets. Add sprinkles on the cake to represent stars and other particles in space. An alternative is to bake sugar cookies to use as the planets. Make the cookies with round cookie cutters in various sizes, which allows you to create cookie planets in different sizes to represent their real-life differences. Add the details of each planet with icing in appropriate colors.
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Foam Balls
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Foam balls come in a variety of sizes and are available in any craft store. Purchase a variety of sizes so that the planets will be proportionate to each other, as they are in real life. Paint the foam balls using craft paint so they take on the look of the planets. Cut additional small foam balls in half to provide a base for the planet models, with the flat side resting on the table. Use wooden dowels to attach each planet to a base. The foam planets allow students to practice arranging them in the correct order.
Collage
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A collage adds an artistic twist to a solar system model. Paint sheets of paper in appropriate colors to create the material for the planets. Use circular objects in appropriate sizes to trace planets onto the painted paper. Glue the planet cutouts onto a piece of poster board in the correct order, adding a label to each one. Add paper punches or glitter sprinkled onto the poster board to represent the stars.
Planet Costumes
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Use large planet cutouts made from poster board to create costumes for kids to become a live solar system. Cut out two identical circles for each planet to create a front and a back to the costume. Add details to the planets using paint or markers. Attach two pieces of string to each side of the planet and rest the string over the child's shoulders, holding the pieces in place. Line up the costumed children in the correct order in the gym or on the playground to recreate the solar system. This idea also works well for a presentation on the solar system.
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