Hey, Students!

We were supposed to learn about the size and scale of the Solar System on Tuesday.  Unfortunately, our class time got cut-short, and two classes couldn't pay attention long enough to finish!  So ... you're on your own.  Follow the instructions carefully.

Model Solar System Activity

Your job is to create a model of the solar system.  If you follow the instructions carefully, you can probably finish in twenty minutes ... less if someone helps you! You should read ALL in the instructions first, so you know how everything will work.  Stuck?  Confused?  Call a friend, or call Mr. Swallow!  He's at 801-705-9994.

Step 1:  Select a place for your model.  You'll only simulate half of the solar system.  The more area you have, the more interesting this will be.  I suggest using a long street, a large park, or a big field.  Your neighborhood street would probably do.  Your backyard would be okay, but you'll probably want something larger!

Step 2:  Measure the length of your model, end-to-end.  At school, I did this by measuring 10 meters of string with a meter stick.  Then I used the ten-meter string (cut) to measure 115 meters, from one end of the school to the other.  Use whatever method you can that works.  Does your measurement have to be exact?  No.  But try to get reasonably close.  A helper is great to have for this step.

Step 3:  Do the calculations for the size of the planets AND the orbits in your model solar system.  You can do it easily with the Exploratorium's Build A Solar System Calculator.  (Scroll down a bit to find the calculation table.)  

Here is a snapshot of the table you're looking for.  (It doesn't work.  The ACTUAL table is at the link above.)

You'll need to type a value into the inches OR milimeters box for the Sun's diameter, then click on "Calculate."  Check the radius of Pluto's orbit (in ft., inches or meters) to see if Pluto's orbit will fit in your model's area (that you just measured).  If Pluto's orbit radius is too big or too small, click on "Clear" and try a few different numbers until you find a good fit!

Step 4: Draw "pictures" of the sun and each of the planets on card or paper.  Be sure to measure as best as you can.  It will be easier if you make your model even BIGGER than the one at school.

Step 5: Copy the radius measurements on a paper (or print the table).  Go outside, and decide where your "Sun" will be.  Leave a card or paper with your drawing of the Sun so you can look back and see the view of your "Sun" from different planets in the system!

Step 6:  Start walking away from your "Sun" (away from the center of your "Solar System"), stop when you get to the location of each planet.  (The string or whatever you used to measure earlier will come in handy here.) Look back at the Sun. As you get to the outer planets, you'll see that your "Sun" looks very tiny indeed!

Step 7:  When you reach Pluto's orbit, the outer boundary of the Solar System, see if you can even spot your "Sun" anymore.  Take a minute to imagine the ACTUAL size of the REAL solar system.  Pretty astounding, isn't it?  Yes, it is.

Step 8:  Write a brief summary (1-2 paragraphs) about your model solar system.  Explain where you "built" it, how large it was, and what you learned from this activity.  Extra credit if you draw a sketch or include photographs of you "building" your model! Bring it with you to school next week.