By Steven White (Updated March 24, 2022)

This hands‑on project turns simple foam balls and craft wire into a dynamic visual aid that demonstrates Earth’s rotation, its orbit around the Sun, and the Moon’s path. It’s a low‑cost, high‑impact activity suitable for K‑12 classrooms.

Step 1

Paint the largest foam ball in a gradient of orange to yellow to represent the Sun.

Step 2

Use blue and brown markers to color a smaller foam ball as Earth. For older students, add hand‑drawn continents.

Step 3

Mark a marble‑sized foam ball grey to symbolize the Moon.

Step 4

Cut a 24‑inch piece of craft wire and loop it. Thread the Earth ball through the loop, then twist the ends together to secure the orbit.

Step 5

Cut a second piece of wire long enough to span the loop. Thread it through the Sun ball and position the Sun in the loop’s center, anchoring the solar orbit.

Step 6

Attach a final piece of craft wire across the loop’s width, passing through the Earth ball. This connects the Moon’s orbit to the Earth, completing the system.

Materials Needed

• 1 large foam ball (Sun)
• 1 small foam ball (Earth)
• 1 marble‑sized foam ball (Moon)
• Washable markers
• Craft wire (approximately 24 inches each piece)
• Wire cutters

Use this model as a visual reinforcement or a quick assessment of students’ understanding of celestial mechanics.