This session is still under construction, but here are some individual activities!

Fruity Solar System

Astronomy | 30 – 40 minutes

In this activity, students are challenged to work together to create a solar system of fruit (and friends).

Materials Needed

Fruit and non-fruit friends in order from smallest to largest:

1 Peppercorn
1 Pea
1 Large Blueberry
1 Cherry Tomato
1 Lime
1 Apple
1 Large Grapefruit
1 Watermelon

Optional:

Printed list of planet sizes (attached to pdf)
Printed list of planet order (attached to pdf)

Steps:

Lay out all of the fruits and friends randomly on a table or other flat surface.
Give the students 5 minutes to try to complete The Challenge.
After the 5 minutes, give students the list of planet sizes
Give students 3 minutes to adjust the order if they would like
After the 3 minutes, give students the list of the planet order
Give the students 3 minutes to adjust the order if they would like
Look at the result. Reflect.

Explanation:

The solar system is difficult to model. This exercise doesn’t try to address distances or relative motion, but it is a fun way to get an idea of the relative sizes of the planets. If we compare the other planets to Earth, that gives us some understanding of the other celestial bodies that are all traveling around the sun with us.

Reflect:

How did you do when you were first given the “planets”?

Did you get it right the first time?

How about after you had the size list?

How about after the order list?

Which planets are bigger than our Earth? Smaller?

Which planets are similar in size to our Earth? Which are really different?

Real World:

Sometimes we can see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter from here on Earth.