Solar system to scale

Solar System Scroll (Grades 5-8): Students make a "pocket" solar system and predict the scale of the solar system and the distance between planets, then check their answers using fractions. With markers and a strip from a roll of cash register paper, students can dispel their misconceptions that planets are equal distance from each and students can see how much "space" there is in the solar system. STEM activities. Space science. Planet distances. Solar system model.

Recently I had a look at the scale of a load of the bigger objects in the solar system compared to the sun. But seeing the scale flat on a computer screen isn’t quite the same as seeing thing…

The solar system to scale (mostly).

Looking for some fun ideas to teach kids about space? Check out his space unit for kids. Measure the distance between the planets with toilet paper!

This afternoon we made a scale model of the solar system using toilet paper. We went right into Hannah's room! We rolled out toilet paper squares according to the chart below

Fun ways for kids to learn how to compare planet sizes in our solar system. Kids then can understand the size and scale of earth compared to other planets.

A while back, I made a couple of charts comparing planet sizes and distances, and highly recommended a poster by Emily Lakdawalla . I ac...

Solar system planets — distances to scale It’s pretty hard to get to grips with the scale of the solar system when Venus, the closest planet, feels really far already. But we’re practically squished together compared to Uranus and Neptune — they are a really, really, really long way away. You can find this sketch, lovingly polished, in the book Big Ideas Little Pictures.