By Lisa Magloff
Updated Mar 24, 2022
Constructing a solar‑system model is an engaging way to help students grasp the order of the planets and the vastness of the space between them. You can have each student create their own model or work in groups, and then showcase the projects to the class for discussion and reflection.
In this activity students calculate the proportional distances of the planets from the Sun, giving them a tangible sense of scale. Gather chalk, a measuring tape, and an open outdoor area. The size of your model depends on the space available; for instance, if you have 100 feet, set Pluto 100 feet from the Sun. Using an online distance calculator, you can translate this into the following example distances:
Mark the Sun with a chalk circle at one end of the playground, then use the tape measure to draw concentric circles representing each planet’s orbit.
To illustrate planetary sizes, choose a generous diameter for the Sun and calculate the proportional diameters of the other bodies. The Exploratorium’s size calculator is a reliable resource for this. Have students cut paper circles for each planet, color them, and arrange them around the Sun or within the distance model described above.
For younger learners, food can serve as a fun, tactile representation of the solar system. Suggested foods include:
Students arrange the items in planetary order and discuss how the sizes differ.
Using Styrofoam balls of varying sizes, students can create a three‑dimensional solar system. Paint each ball to match the planet’s appearance—red for Mars, rings for Saturn, a large spot for Jupiter, etc. Cut dowels to proportional lengths and attach them to the Sun’s ball; the shortest dowel goes to Mercury and the longest to Pluto (if included). Mount each planet at the other end of its dowel.
These hands‑on projects foster spatial awareness, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation of our planetary neighborhood.
