Scale Model of Sun and Earth
Source Institutions
-
NASA
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In this activity, learners explore the relative size of the Sun and Earth as well as the distance between them. Learners estimate the size of the Sun and Earth and then use scaled models to estimate the distance between them. Learners will be surprised by how big the model Sun looks at 65 feet away.
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per group of students
- Ages 6 - 18
- Activity, Demonstration
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- copies of the Sun and Earth handout sheet
- measuring tape
- a large room or a long hallway where you will be able to walk 65 feet in a straight line without many obstacles
- scissors (optional)
- 65 feet length of string (optional)
Subjects
- Earth and Space Science
- Astronomy
- Size and Scale
- Earth Structure
- Earth, Moon and Sun
- Earth, Moon and Sun
- Astronomy
- Mathematics
- Measurement
- Size and Scale
- Measurement
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- be mobile
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
- NASA Sun-Earth Day: Make and Take Activities
- The Center for Science Education at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory: Hands-on Activities
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- Public Domain, NASA,
