Solar System Projects

The solar system projects can be immense fun, and a great way of bringing the knowledge of the universe out through this effectual learning tool. Kids can take an avid interest in the universe and the elements it holds, and truly appreciate it for its magnitude and majesty. Take a look at some project ideas.

We look into simple ways of turning readily available craft material, into great and easy solar system projects. Given here are two incredibly simple ways to allow middle school students start off with project making.

What You'll Need

• Plaster of Paris (if you'd like to try making it for the class)
• Kitchen roll paper
• Water
• 9 Balloons (use biodegradable balloons, and make sure when blown, they take on a round shape, not oval)
• Acrylic paint
• Newspaper
• One thick bristled paint brush

• Scissors
• Pin
• One cutout of a cardboard ring (to affix around Saturn)
• Glitter
• Masking tape
• 9 small thin cardboard strips
• 9 thick woolen strings
• One large round cardboard cutout (circle)

Instructions

Looking at a solar system chart, roughly gauge the size of each planet, and blow a balloon to match that proportion. After you've blown up nine odd sizes of balloons, keep them aside and get on with your plaster of Paris mixture. Mix one part POP and one part water, depending on how much you'll need.

Once that is done, take pieces of newspaper, and stick it on the balloon using the masking tape, until the whole balloon is roughly taped down with it (let the knotted end stick out). Then hold kitchen roll paper against the balloon, and using the paste, dab on the mixture in a thin coating using the brush.

Keep sticking kitchen roll paper using the POP mixture, until the whole balloon is covered with an even layer of the mix. Keep it aside to dry, and repeat this for all the other balloons. Once the balloons have dried up, take a pin and pop the balloon, from the knotted end.

Pull it out, and there you have 9 hardened balloons. Now let the kids paint the outside of these molds with acrylic paint, using textbook diagrams. On Saturn, you can affix the ring around it, and tape the insides of the cardboard to the mold, and repeat the same process of putting newspaper and the mix around it, so that it sets in place around the balloon.

Apply a layer of glue to the Saturn ring, and dust on some glitter, for a shimmery effect. Once you have your nine planets all dried up, and colorfully painted, use the 9 thin strips of cardboard, and glue them on top of each planet to form 9 rings.

Tape these on the top of each planet, and cut different string lengths, tying these to the individual rings. Using the large cardboard circle, tape up the planets properly at different heights, so that the balloons don't clash. There you have it, your unique solar system model.

What You'll Need

• Cardboard cut out of about two feet
• POP mix
• Newspaper
• Four medium-sized right-angled cardboard cut outs
• Scissors
• Masking tape
• Conical birthday hats
• Newspaper
• Kitchen roll paper
• Acrylic paint
• One large bristled paint brush

Instructions

Take the two feet cardboard cut out, and roll it up, gluing the ends together to form a cylindrical structure. Make sure the cardboard is thin, so that it is easier to glue the ends together.

Then using the birthday hat, place it on top of the rocket, and glue/tape it, so that it is roughly secure. Stick the right angled triangle cutouts, one of each side, at the bottom, around the circumference.

Now you have a rough rocket structure in front of you. Then take newspaper and tape it roughly to the whole rocket, covering every bare inch of cardboard. Using the kitchen roll paper, use a thin layer of POP mix and cover the entire thing, overlapping the taped newspaper layer.

After it has dried, paint it however you like, making it as artsy as possible. That's all there is to it; you can make it as elaborate as you want, adding elements to the rocket, before applying the POP mix. Experimentations are always welcome in a classroom. Also look into solar system project ideas for kids, for added ideas.

These little boys and girls, are just starting out on discovering what the universe is all about, and learning about how different things take place. They'll be curious and inquisitive about many aspects, and your assistance in helping them, is much-needed. Let's look into these easy-to-make solar system projects.

What You'll Need

• Black chart paper
• Galaxy picture for reference (Milky Way)
• Bronze/gold/silver glitter glues
• Tiny stars of different colors
• Pencil and rubber

Instructions

First have your students draw out the milky way using their pencils, to later give them a chance to glue on the glitter, following the stenciled drawing for reference. Looking at the Milky Way drawing, let them mimic its curves, and swirling star paths.

Then have them follow the pattern, using the bronze/gold/silver glitter, and have them nestle in the tiny stars. It'll give it that nice cavalcade effect, making the galaxy depiction pop. Leave it aside to dry, and once it sets, it is ready to go up on display.

What You'll Need

• Cardboard roll from old kitchen roll
• Kitchen roll paper
• Rubber band
• Pencil
• Glow in the dark stickers

Instructions

Using at least three layers of kitchen roll paper, first let students paint it nice and black on both sides. After it dries, have them hold the layers flat against one opening of the cardboard kitchen roll, using rubber band to hold it down.

Punch holes through the top of the kitchen roll paper; not too large though. Then let kids randomly place the glow in the dark stickers all over the cardboard kitchen roll, after it's been painted black. Tell your kids to use it in the night and record their observations, and get those notes to class the following day.

Solar system projects are an enjoyable activity for students of all age groups. It's an interactive session of letting students help each other out, as well as allowing them to learn new things as they progress. Science is a favorite subject, especially when covering the universe's different factual information.