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Astronomy Science Fair Project

Household Solar System Model

Easy
Household Solar System Model | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Can you build the whole solar system on a table? You model the Sun and planets from everyday items. Use play dough and aluminum foil for the planets. A balloon works as the Sun. The balloon stands in for the Sun. Smaller balls of play dough and foil represent each planet. You arrange them in order from the Sun outward. When you finish, you have a hands-on model that shows where each planet sits in our solar system.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that by creating a model solar system, students will gain a better understanding of the planets and their orbits around the sun.

Method & Materials

You will gather materials such as play dough or clay to make planets, a balloon or larger ball for the sun, small rocks or aluminum foil for the asteroid belt and Kuiper belt, and markers or crayons, heavy paper, glue, and scissors for the Saturn's rings. Then, you will create each planet and place them in their correct order and distance from the sun, while also explaining their unique characteristics to learn about the solar system.
You will need play dough, clay, small toy balls, aluminum foil, a balloon or larger ball, small rocks, markers or crayons, heavy paper, glue, and scissors.

Results

Through building a model solar system, students can gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our place in the universe. One observation that stands out is the vast distances between the planets and how they all work together in orbit around the sun.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting and unique because it combines art and science to create a fun and educational activity for students of all ages. It allows students to visualize the planets and their positions in space in a tangible way.

Also Consider

1) You can try to create a model of another solar system, such as one with multiple stars or with exoplanets. 2) You can use construction paper to make a model of the solar system for a poster (see video).

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

Related video

These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
Learn all about the different planets in our solar system and how to make a construction paper solar system model for a poster!
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