Scaling the Solar System

Each group created a model of the solar system. First they determined the ratio of the scale model to the actual distance of Pluto by dividing the available distance by the know sun-to-Pluto distance. Using this scale, they determined the distances for the remaining planets in the solar system. Each student then researched facts about their assigned planet. We then headed out to the school grounds to map out our model. Notice that they even added the Asteroid Belt that is located between Mars and Jupiter.

Clark Planetarium

Interactive exhibits, state of the art presentation, and a scavenger hunt. Definitely a fun way to learn about our solar system.

What is Earth's Natural Satellite?

The moon is the Earth's only natural satellite. The changing appearance of the shape of the moon is called its phases. It takes 29.5 days to go through all of the moon phases. Oreos were used to model how much of the moon we can see. We used Oreos' "white stuff" which represented what we could see (the phase), and the chocolate represented the moon that does not actually disappear, it still there, just dark.