Jessica Hulvey
Environment & Energy Publishing, LLC
MD

Sizing Up the Solar System

Mon, Sep 24, 2012 11:42 PM
Good Activity, However Model is Too Small

I enjoy the description for the activity - its very thorough. However, the scale model made is very small. I'm not sure that it paints an accurate picture of the vast distance between the sun and its planets. Perhaps using a larger material that spans a greater distance such as toilet paper or a long hallway would work better.

Tried and True: Solar System in the Hallway

Mon, Sep 24, 2012 10:30 PM
Fun Activity With Models, Easy to Manipulate

I think this activity would be eye opening for students. However, I think setting up the model ahead of time, may take away from the students awe at the distance between the sun and its surrounding planets! While setting up a scale, might focus on mathematics, I believe its important to garner and understanding that math and science go hand in hand. A happy medium here, would be to set up the scaled model as a group. Lead the students to the hallway and hang The Sun poster, then guide them through setting up the model by telling them what each tile represents. Ask students to provide the rest of the information - the distance between each planet and gather feedback and observations as set up continues. Then, set the students free, requiring certain observations to be reported. Easily differentiated as well - different groups can be responsible for a different tier of observations.