The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

The Planets the Kids Made!

The Planets the Kids Made!

A 5th Grade STEM Lesson

Loy Ann Guzman

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July 2023

Notes for Teachers

Discuss: What makes up a solar system? - stars, planets, asteroids.

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Students can get on the computer or tablet to research the solar system.

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Next, the students will work in groups of 3 or 4 and create the solar system using the list of materials.

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Lastly, hold a class discussion on what they learned.

List of Materials

• Glue
• Tape
• Scissors
• Markers
• Paint
• Popsicle sticks
• Styrofoam spheres
• Toothpicks
• Electronic devices (computer or tablet) Solar System Exploration - NASA Science

Standards

Earth Science:

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5.E2U1.7 Develop, revise, and use models based on evidence to construct explanations about the movement of the Earth and Moon within our solar system.

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Ed Technology:

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3-5.3.a. Students, in collaboration with an educator, employ appropriate research techniques to locate digital resources that will help them in their learning process.

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Science Core Ideas:

E2: The Earth and our solar system are a very small part of one of many galaxies within the Universe.

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Science and Engineering Practices:

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● ask questions and define problems

● develop and use models

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Objective(s):

Students will be able to describe and distinguish what the Solar System is.

Students will be able to arrange the solar system planets in order starting with the sun.

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Agenda (Lesson time 90 minutes)

• 15 minutes - Explain what the solar system is.
• Share resource links
• 60 minutes - Students will get in groups of 4 and create a solar system with the materials provide.

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• 7 minutes - Students will walk around and look at each group’s display.
• 8 minutes - Class discussion on what each group learned.

Resources

• The Big and Small of the Solar System - Stuff to Blow Your Kids' Mind #5
• Planets in the Solar System for Kids | Learn about the sun and the eight planets

Key Vocabulary

• crater: A hole caused by an object hitting the surface of a planet or moon.
• dwarf planet: A non-satellite body that fulfills only the first two of the three criteria for planet (see below).
• planet: A celestial body that (1) is in orbit around the Sun, (2) has sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium (a nearly round shape), and (3) has "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit (International Astronomical Union, 2006).

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• meteorite: A piece of stone or metal from space that falls to Earth's surface.
• meteor: An object from space that becomes glowing hot when it passes into Earth's atmosphere.
• moon: A natural satellite that orbits a larger object.
• star: A giant ball of hot gas that emits light and energy created through nuclear fusion at its core

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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WHAT IS THE SOLAR SYSTEM? Our solar system consists of our star, the Sun, and everything bound to it by gravity. Eight giant planets, smaller dwarf planets, and millions of pieces of rocks and ice orbit the Sun. Moons can also be found within the solar system; they are held in orbit around planets by gravity.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students will be in a groups of 3 to 4
• Students will gather the materials to use to build their planets
• Images to the right shows examples
• Everyone in the group will have a job to do in making the solar system
• Next, each group will give a presentation about their solar system
• This project could take two days to complete.

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Assessment

Each group has 15 to 20 minutes:

• Allow each group to present their solar system project
• Each group needs to explain their solar system
• Planets need to look similar to the pictures they researched
• Objects need to be in the correct order in the solar system

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Differentiation

Provide key vocabulary with images.

Strategically group students as needed.

Provide a list of approved websites for students to use for research online.

Provide a paper with research highlights on the solar system.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students can demonstrate how the solar system actually move. They can search the internet for ideas on how they can demonstrate this to the class.

How Does the Earth Really Move Through The Galaxy? | Season 9 | Episode 4 | PBS

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Skylight: How Does Our Solar System Move Around the Milky Way? #datavisualization

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