While the instructions say to send in a video, I would actually prefer that you send photos of your model instead. But if you really want to do a video you can.
ALTERNATIVE: If creating a physical model is a problem, I will also accept one in digital form (poster, 3D model, Minecraft level, etc.). If you choose to do this, you still need to be sure to include screenshots of each planet and the whole model, all of the measurements (in AU and in whatever you need to convert them to in your digital form), and make sure the model clearly shows the relative distances between the planets.
Instructions from the activity:
For this activity you will be creating a scaled-down model of our solar system and correctly placing the planets in their respective distances from the sun and each other. We will be scaling down from astronomical units, using a ratio of six inches for every one AU. Remember that one AU is the distance from Earth to the sun.
Step 1: Gather Supplies You will need to gather a few supplies before you begin:
a ruler or measuring tape
an object that can represent the sun (does not matter the size of the object)
other objects (8) that can represent each of the planets in our solar system
note cards (9) to label each object
When choosing your items to represent the planets and sun, try to find objects around your house. They do not have to be round and do not have to represent the actual size of the planets in comparison with one another. Try to keep the objects between the size of a tennis ball and a cantaloupe. Once you choose the items you’ll use to represent the sun and planets, set them aside for now.
Step 2: Find Each Planet’s Distance from Sun in AUs. Research each planet’s distance in AUs from the sun, and write it down. To keep things simple, round to the nearest tenth of an AU (the first number after the decimal). For example, Venus’s AU is 0.723, so you would just write down 0.7 AU.
Step 3: Convert AUs to Inches Next, convert each planet’s AU measurement to inches, so you know how to place them in your model of the solar system. Remember, we are using six inches for every one AU. Figuring out Earth’s is easy! It’s just six inches from your sun because it’s just one AU from the sun. The other ones will likely require more careful calculation. An easy way to convert from AUs to inches is to just multiply the planet’s AU by six—this will tell you the number of inches from the sun that you will place each object. We will use Venus as an example again. Venus’s AU is 0.7. So multiplying 0.7 by 6 equals 4.2. So, your object that represents Venus will be 4.2 inches away from your sun. Figure out the other six planets and write them all down. All of your answers should be in inches.
Step 4: Place Your Objects After you’ve figured out all of the conversions, it is time to build your “model”! To do this, you will set the sun down on the ground first, then place the planets at the appropriate distances from the sun (in inches, which you just calculated). To do this, find a long hallway, bedroom, or if it’s nice outside, you may want to make your model on your driveway or patio, just make sure it’s not too windy! (Hint: you will need about 20 feet of space, so choose wisely). Begin by setting your object that represents your sun on the ground somewhere. This will be the point from which you measure each planet’s distance (in inches). Using your conversions, begin measuring and placing each object in their respective places from your sun. Remember, Earth will just be six inches away because it’s AU is one.
Step 5: Label Your Objects Take your note card and write the name of the planet, its AU, and the conversion in inches that you’ve figured out. Place each label under their respective planets (and the sun, which will have an AU and inches area that is left blank—this card only needs to say “Sun”).
Step 6: Film Your Model Take a video from the start of your sun to the last planet (Neptune). Record slowly so that every planet can be seen clearly along with its label.