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Proud to be part of LJMU,
in partnership with the Faulkes Telescope Project

 

You may know that Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System, but do you know how much larger than the Earth it is?

Find out by creating a scale model of each planet in our Solar System!

 

By the end of this activity you will:

  • have followed a set of instructions
  • have created a model of the planets in the Solar System 
  • appreciate how the sizes of planets varies

To complete this activity you will need:

  • the instructions
  • to watch the video on this page (optional but you may find it helpful)
  • some Play-Doh (3 tubs per Solar System)
  • name labels for each planet (for example, post-its)
  • a ruler (for cutting the Play-Doh)

Approx Duration
30 - 60 mins

 

Have a go!

Follow the instructions to complete your model. You may find it helpful to watch the video on this page.

Tips!

  • roll the play-dog into a sausage shape (not a ball) and then divide that up
  • tick off the steps as you go
  • the colours and the key in the instructions show you how much of the Play-Doh goes into each planet at each step - it doesn't matter what colour Play-Doh you are using