Kids Solar System Projects

The different concepts of science can be understood through the construction of models based on them. Indulging into solar system projects is one such activity which helps children gain a lot of knowledge through active participation.

In the process of making such models, children get to know more details and interesting facts about planets of our solar system. Let us have a look at some of these models in the following paragraphs.

Space exploration and astronomy are topics which interest kids a lot. The information gained through projects help kids to get to know about the different concepts of science in a fun-filled manner.

Many doubts that arise while learning theory behind planets and other concepts associated with the solar system are solved while the project activity is conducted. Children should therefore, be encouraged to take up science projects like these.

Creating a model of planets present in our solar system is one of the common solar system project ideas being used. To make a solar system model one would require foam balls (as planets), aluminum foil, masking tape, cardboard, glue, wires with 1.2 mm (5 m long) and 6 mm (1.5 m long) diameter, colors, brush, wire snips, pliers and a bamboo skewer.

The foam balls of varying sizes are used to make the models of different planets and the sun. Aluminum foil is wrapped around them, followed by painting it with appropriate colors for planets.

The planets like Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto should be colored with black, brown, blue & green, red, orange (along with yellow, red & brown), yellow (along with white & brown), light blue, dark blue and purple colors respectively. Next step in the process is to prepare a coil with a 6 mm wire which has 10 rings.

The small gauge wire which has a diameter of 1.2 mm should be cut into 3 pieces of 80 cm each. These pieces of wires should then be bent halfway through their length and weaved around the coil starting from center towards the edge. It helps in keeping the coil intact.

The wires used to hang the models have to be 30 cm in length and each one of them attached to rings with proper spacing. A skewer should be used to create holes in foam balls so as to hang them properly. Starting with the sun and planets, the models should be hung from the center. The whole structure will, thus, create a nice model of the solar system.

The project of planetarium is quite simple to work out; one can think of creating a representation or model of the night sky. Materials required to make this project include a shoe box, star chart, tape, scissors, flashlight, pin, pencil and books.

A hole that is big enough to fit a flashlight on one side and rectangular shape on the other should be cut out from the rectangular box. With the help of star charts, diagrams of various constellations and solar system should be drawn on separate papers. Holes need to be poked through dots representing stars and planets in the diagrams.

The planetarium can be used in a darkened room to view the constellations properly. The flashlight needs to be inserted from one side of the rectangular box while one of the papers with diagrams of constellations should be taped with a pin along the rectangular hole. Light passing through the holes form a nice image of different constellations on the wall.

The project about life on Mars could be interesting to make. One should first gather basic information about this planet through various informative websites, journals, magazines, etc. The project should depict how the life on this planet would be, after humans have settled there.

Basic requirements to survive in the atmosphere of Mars such as the oxygen mask, special clothes, etc. can be depicted through a model. Color of the surface should be reddish in appearance. This project can be made interesting by imagining about the mode of transport that would be used by people inhabiting Mars.

Models of small vehicles resembling space-ships can be created. Many different things could be incorporated in this project which would depict the life on Mars with human settlements. A static model of life on Mars can be made as interesting as possible using your imagination.

Various aspects of human life on Earth can be used to make comparisons with that on Mars. There is lot of scope to incorporate something innovative in this project by letting the creative juices to take over.

Making such a project would help in raising awareness about this planet; the debate over the possibility of human settlement on Mars could intensify, at least in your class room. After all, fiction stories have acted as a source of inspiration for many ambitious voyages/ventures in the field of space exploration. So, best of luck with your Mars project!

The kids solar system projects can be made as interesting as possible with a bit of research and correct information. Children should try out different things in their science projects and make studies fun-filled and entertaining.