Planet Research Project + STEM Challenge| A Model of the Solar System for NASA

Anyone else just LOVE teaching about the Solar System?

Each year when this unit rolls around I get so excited! I am sharing some of my go-to STEM projects and hope they make the Solar System, studying the planets, and outer space come alive in your classroom.

This activity is very low prep and so simple, you need very little - pick up some PlayDoh and plates from the Dollar Store, print off these resources pages and you'll be ready to BLAST OFF into this hands on science project.

In this 30 page resource you will receive:

-Your students STEM Challenge:
"NASA is trying to inspire people everywhere to learn and be inspired by our Solar System.

They are holding a contest asking for your help in researching our planets and designing a model of the Solar System. 

The winners… will be the first kid astronauts sent into space!! 

Make sure that your design it is accurate. Think about what color, size, shape, and order the planets on in.  

Best of luck amazing scientists and engineers!!"

-Two Order of the Planets printables/posters to help with your students designs

-Teacher Directions + Ideas for how to use pages and this resource in your classroom (I love it as an intro to the Solar System and a research project OR as an assessment at the end of your unit)

-Video Recommendations

-pages for the ask, imagine, plan, and improve stages of the engineering design process

-Engineering Design Process printable poster

-Posters for each planet and the Sun (real life photography, to true to color, shape, attributes etc.)

-Planet Research Note Recording pages - all planets are included
-Extension/Improve Phase recommendations

-Reflection Page

-and... award ribbons for "AMAZING ENGINEER" + "NASA's NEXT KID ASTRONAUT" to tie in the with activity prompt and celebrate your student's hard work

I hope this activity makes you STARRY eyed and that you enjoy!