Exploring the Solar System: Pocket Solar System

TYPE: Short Activities
AUDIENCE: Ages 4 - Adult
TOPIC: Earth and Space Science
In this activity, learners make a scale model of the distances between objects in our solar system.
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DESCRIPTION

"Exploring the Solar System: Pocket Solar System" is a hands-on activity in which visitors make a scale model of the distances between objects in our solar system. They learn that there is a lot of space between planets, and that our solar neighborhood contains many other interesting features and objects. They can even imagine where they might like to send a NASA mission spacecraft in the future!

The activity can easily be modified in several ways for use without stickers, please see FAQ #23

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  • Group shot of learners creating their pocket solar systems
  • Pocket Solar System hands-on activity image
  • Image of a learner drawing a rocket on her pocket solar system
  • Group of learners make their pocket solar systems
  • Group measures a learner's completed pocket solar system
  • Exploring the Solar System: Pocket Solar System activity image
  • Group shot of learners creating their pocket solar systems
  • Pocket Solar System hands-on activity image
  • Image of a learner drawing a rocket on her pocket solar system
  • Group of learners make their pocket solar systems
  • Group measures a learner's completed pocket solar system
  • Exploring the Solar System: Pocket Solar System activity image

DESCRIPTION

"Exploring the Solar System: Pocket Solar System" is a hands-on activity in which visitors make a scale model of the distances between objects in our solar system. They learn that there is a lot of space between planets, and that our solar neighborhood contains many other interesting features and objects. They can even imagine where they might like to send a NASA mission spacecraft in the future!

The activity can easily be modified in several ways for use without stickers, please see FAQ #23

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TRAINING VIDEOS

OBJECTIVES

BIG IDEA

Our solar system is vast, and there are great distances between the planets.

LEARNING GOALS

  • There’s a lot of empty space in our solar system—distances between planets are vast!

  • The solar system is made up of eight planets and many other objects orbiting the Sun.

  • NASA’s science missions are exploring our solar system, and beyond.

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TYPE:
Educational Resources
AUDIENCE:
Ages 4 - Adult
LANGUAGES:
English Spanish
ADDITIONAL TOPICS: Earth and Space Science Astronomy Earth, Moon and Sun Solar System
KIT: Explore Science: Earth & space logo Browse kit
KEYWORDS:

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2017
PROJECT
OWNING INSTITUTION

The Science Museum of Minnesota

FUNDING

This material is based upon work supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC67A. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.