Solar System Model Project

We arelearning about the solar system and research in science. In order to show what you have learned, I would like for you to create your own solar system Project to display in the classroom or present to the class. Please be as creative as possible with a focus on providing information in a professional manner.

We will follow a schedule of graded checkpoints over the next few weeks to ensure that everyone is completing the work. Parents will be receiving a note during the March 30 to April10th weeks to sign and verify that each student is not waiting until the last minute to complete this project.

  • March 30-April 10:Students begin mentally planning their designs and listing materials.
  • April 10-14:Students will draw designs, research Planets and create a final material list.
  • April 17-21:Students will work in class and at home on their projects,
  • April 21st ALL PROJECTS DUE!!!!!!!
  • April 24-28:Students begin presenting/displaying models.

This project must be in Mrs. Corley’s room by 4:00 pm on April21stto receive full credit. 10% will be deducted for late projects.

All materials need to be created and decorated by the student. Objects that were obviously purchased from a planet toy or kit will not be accepted.

Have fun with this project! Be creative!

Project Requirements:

Students must include either All Inner Planets or All Outer Planets. Extra Points will be awarded to students who include all 9 planets.

  • Students must put all objects in the correct order.
  • Students must correctly represent each planet (rings, color, etc.)
  • Students must pay attention to proportion. (In other words, Earth should not be larger than Jupiter.)
  • Students must create neat and easy to read labels with the following facts included:
  • Name of the planet
  • History of the planet's name
  • Where did it come from?(how was it discovered)
  • Color/distinguishing features
  • Distance from the Sun
  • Conditions of the planet (temperature, atmosphere, composition)
  • Does this planet have any moons?
  • 2 fun facts

Extras: Students may include “Extra Objects” in our Solar System including any of the following:

  • the sun
  • moons
  • dwarf planets
  • asteroid belt
  • comets & meteors

Solar System Project Rubric

Master
(20 points) / Expected
(17 points) / Apprentice
(14 points) / Beginner
(12 points) / Points Earned
Creativity
(20 points) / Student showed large amounts of creativity. All Inner or All Outer planets are the correct color and imagination has been used when designing the project. / Thought has been put into the project. The planets are close to the correct color and there is evidence of student effort. The model is 3D. / Some thought has been put into the project. There is some color and a few planets are colored incorrectly. / Very little or no creativity. No color is used or the planets are all colored incorrectly.
Planets
(20 points) / All Inner Planets are included or All Outer Planets are included and in correct order / 3 planets inner or 3 outer planets included and are in correct order. / All requiredPlanets are included but not in correct order / Not planets are included and not in correct order
Facts
(20 points) / All Facts are included / 4 are included / 3 are included / 2 or less are included
Proportion/Scale
(20 points) / All of the planets are roughly proportional to each other. / Most of the planets are proportional to each other. / There are a couple of mistakes with the proportions of the planets. / Planets are not correctly proportioned.
Labels
(20 points) / All planets are correctly and clearly labeled. / All planets are correctly labeled, but are difficult to read or find. / Planets are incorrectly labeled or the labels are impossible to read. / Planets are not labeled or the labels are impossible to read.
Information
(20 points) / Information includes complete facts for required planets and is typed. / Information complete for required planets facts and is hand-written. / Information is incomplete for required planets and is typed. / Information is incomplete required planets and is handwritten.

Total points earned = ______/ 120