Fly Me to the Moons -- Middle School
Topic outline
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Written By: Frances Dellutri, Jr. High/Intermediate Level EIS Education Team, October 2015
EIS Topic: Art, Astronomy
Grade (Age) Level: Grades 5-8 (Ages 10-13)Key Topics Associated With Standards:
Scale Properties, Astronomy, Solar System Models, Proportion, Quantity, Interpreting Data, Gravity, Patterns, Math
US Standards: NGSS:
MS-ESS1-3 http://www.nextgenscience.org/dci-arrangement/ms-ess1-earths-place-universe
Index of Course Activities:
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Forum
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In this activity, students set up their own solar system models by working in groups and using a sun model of a much smaller size than in the Whole Class Solar System Walk of Topic 3. This exercise works well to impress students on the effect different scale factors make on planet distances. Students really enjoy this activity and are constantly comparing their outside layout with other students reinforcing the concept of scale modeling.-
All instructions are found attached.
Calculations and Planet Flags are made prior to going outside to make the Solar System Models. It is suggested you have at least 4 different sized balls to represent the sun. Suggestions are: baseball, volleyball, basketball, soccer ball, soft ball. The smaller the ball, the more challenging the activity will be.
Materials needed for inside: Sections A, B, and C of the lab for each student, Various sized balls - 1 per student group, Set of 8 pencils or dowel rods for each student group, A colored paper for flag making. Each group should have a different color.
Materials needed for outside: Completed SS Modeling Table/student, Designated group ball , 8 completed planet flags, a 50 - m tape measure/group, set of questions (Section C) for each student.
Processing the Activity: Use the questions in Section C to discuss the lab experience in small groups and then as a whole class activity.
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