Download Solar System Sort and Scale

Solar System Sort and Scale
This activity is designed as a topic activity for level 2 and to give an
appreciation of the scale of objects in space.
Learning Objectives
1.
To be able to describe the order of the planets in the Solar System.
2.
To recognise the distances between planets are not the same and are massive.
3.
To work with others towards a common goal.
Learning Experiences
SCN 2-06a
LIT 2-03a
Split your class into small groups.
Pupils should work together to solve the problem of where the planets on the cards
should sit.
Once all groups have completed the task, check and see who achieved the correct answers.
When this is done, you can use the info sheet and pictures to map the Solar System in your class.
However, if possible, this would work even better in a corridor or other much larger space as it
gives a better indication of the scale of our Solar System. A suggested set of measurements from
the Sun are provided, however, if you want to expand the activity to include outcomes MNU 2-11b
and MNU 2-07b, you can give them an extra worksheet where they must scale the Solar System to fit
on a sheet of paper.
Working in groups, use the clues to build the Solar System.
There are 8 planets to place in orbit of the Sun.
1.
Earth is between Venus and Mars.
2.
Saturn has very large rings.
3.
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.
4.
Venus is next to Mercury.
5.
The Sun is at the centre of the Solar System.
6.
Neptune is the furthest planet from the Sun.
7.
Jupiter is between Saturn and Mars.
The Sun
Extension Activity
The Sun
Each of these lines is 1cm – Show the location of the planets using a suitable scale
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