A model of the solar system consists of the sun surrounded by the planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and the dwarf planet Pluto. Your model can be a hanging mobile or mounted on a stationary base. The model should depict the positions of the planets as well as their relative sizes and distance.

You will need circles or sphere-shaped objects to depict the sun and surrounding planets. You can cut circles from cardboard or construction paper, or use plastic foam balls or round fruit such as oranges, cantaloupes and kiwis to represent the sun and planets. Each planet will require a different sized sphere that reflects its relative size.

A type of mounting material is needed to put the model together. String, clothesline or twine can be used for a mobile. For a model mounted on a stationary base, use dowel rods to attach your planets.

You will need a variety of supplies such as:

• scissors
  
• ruler
  
• glue
  
• tape
  
• paint
  
• paintbrushes
  
• crayons
  
• pencils
  
• markers

The planets and the sun should be represented by the following colors: yellow for the sun, orange for Mercury, danube or dark blue for Venus, blue and green for the Earth, red for Mars, orange for Jupiter, green and coral for Saturn, terra-cotta and green for Uranus and Neptune and purple for Pluto.

Label the name of each planet with a small label or piece of paper. You can also include interesting facts about that planet on the label such as the size of the planet and its distance from the sun.