Bring the solar system to life and get your students moving with the Scale Model of the Solar System Lab! This interactive activity helps students truly see and feel the vast distances between planets—something that’s tough to grasp from just a diagram in a textbook.
Students will build a scale model by measuring real distances and then physically walking from one “planet” to the next. It’s an eye-opening experience that gets them thinking about just how big our solar system really is—and why exploring space is so challenging. Plus, it’s a great way to combine science with movement and teamwork.
Perfect for both middle and high school, this lab can be easily adjusted depending on your class needs and available space.
Here’s what you get:
• A clear and student-friendly lab sheet
• A set of planet data cards to help guide the activity
• An instructor answer key to make setup and grading simple
This lab is a fun and memorable way to help students understand scale, distance, and the challenges of space exploration—all while getting them out of their seats and thinking like scientists.
