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Supported by UK Space Agency

Make a rotating Solar System model

Learn about how the planets in our solar system and see how they all orbit the sun.

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You’ll need

  • Planets worksheet
  • Scissors
  • Split pins
  • Colouring pencils or pens
  • Craft materials
Solar System Model Cut Out Worksheet
PDF – 788.0KB
Download Solar System Model Cut Out Worksheet

Before you begin

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There's also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples. 
  • Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help. 

Planning and setting up this activity 

  • Print out copies of the planet. sheets, with enough for one per person
  • You may wish to make an example to show everyone.  

Running this activity 

  1. Gather everyone around and explain that you’ll be learning about the planets in our solar system. 
  2. Ask if anyone knows anything about the planets or our solar system. You may wish to have pictures to share. 
  3. Give out the equipment. 
  4. Give everyone the planet printouts each and get them to colour all the planets and the sun.
  5. Once they have completed colouring the planets, they need to cut them out, they must keep the tabs attached and not cut that off.
  6. They need to assemble all the planets in order with number 1 (Mars)on top and number 8 (Neptune) on the bottom.
  7. They need to put the sun on top of the Mars.
  8. then carefully put a butterfly pin through all of them. You will need to do these one by one, starting with the sun and then all the planets in order; from number 1 (Mars) to number 8 (Neptune). A leader may need to help you use a pin to make small hole to put the butterfly clip through. 
  9. Once all the parts of the solar system have been attached to the butterfly clip, secure the bottom of the clip. Your rotating solar system is now complete. 

 

Reflection

This activity was all about the planets in our solar system and how they orbit the sun, and everyone made a rotating solar system model. Everyone did a great job combining art and science today. Making your model helped you understand how the Solar System works. 

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Sharp objects

Teach young people how to use sharp objects safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.

Scissors

Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

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