What’s inside and how it works
Contents of the kit
The 9 planets, represented by different sized marbles and chrome balls
Instructional booklet containing walk-off distances and facts about the model as well as our solar system
How it works
Place the sun (represented by a basketball or any similarly sized ball) at your starting point. If on a football or soccer field, this would be the goal line or end line.
Start walking off the distances for each planet (found on the planet bags and in the booklet). Reflect on each planet’s size, distance from the sun, and distance from the other planets!
Teach, Learn, and Understand our solar system
It's hard to comprehend the distances and size differences between objects in our solar system. Most models contain detailed planet representations at the expense of true sizes.
The Space-ial Solar System is a truly scaled model of our celestial neighbors.
With this model, you and a group of students or friends can walk a good portion of the solar system with little more than a football field. With some of the planets in our model being just a fraction of an inch in diameter, you will be able to comprehend the true size of the planets in relation to the size of our solar system.
“These are fantastic for schools hitting science standards, and they make planetary distances easy to visualize.”
- Massachusetts High School Science Teacher
Science standards met using the space-ial solar system model
Elementary School Standards:
1-ESS1-1: Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
5-ESS1-1: Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from the Earth.
Middle School Standards:
MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.
MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.
MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
High School Standards:
HS-ESS1-1: Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to release energy that eventually reaches Earth in the form of radiation.
HS-ESS1-4.Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.
HOW TO ORDER
The models are available on this website under the purchase tab, as well as on Amazon
For bulk pricing inquiries, email us at sales@mightywonderer.com
Donate to a classroom
Give the gift of spacial freedom, comprehension, and curiosity by donating a set of Space-ial Solar System models to a classroom! Teachers often have to dip into their own pockets to buy supplies for their classes - help them out and provide their students with a one of a kind lesson!
Lesson Plans and worksheets
Downloadable lesson plans specifically designed to accompany the kit. Use to plan class lessons or draw inspiration for more casual activities!