The earth and moon
Activity

Building a Model of the Earth and Moon

This simple model, allows the student to build a model of the Earth and the Moon accurately representing their relative sizes and to gauge the relative distance

Students with visual impairment (as well as sighed students) often struggle to grasp the relative size of the Moon and the Earth and the distance between the Earth and the Moon.  A majority of students greatly underestimate the distance between them.

This simple model, allows the student to build a model of the Earth and the Moon accurately representing their relative sizes and to gauge the relative distance between the two celestial bodies utilizing this model. 

It would be appropriate as an introduction to the Sun-Earth-Moon System or after initial instruction has occurred. 

Materials

Preparation

Procedure

Relative diameter

The model of the Earth of clay
Clay model of the earth
  1. Give each student a lump of clay or playdoh, 1 paper clip, and 1 paper clip formed into a square (See Preparation.)
  2. The Earth:  Students will make a sphere to represent the Earth that has a diameter the size of the distances between the sides of the square which is made of the unbent paper clip.   (1″) See picture above.
The model of the clay with small paper clip used as a guide for size.
The model of the clay with small paper clip used as a guide for size
  1. The Moon: Students will make a smaller sphere to represent the Moon that has a diameter the size of the small paper clip.  When they have built this sphere, it should fit between the paper clip.  (1/4″) See picture
  2. After students have built both models, discuss the relative sizes and diameters of the Earth and the Moon.  Tell the students that the diameter if the Earth is 4 times the diameter of the Moon.  Earth’s diameter is approximately 8,000 miles while the diameter of the Moon is approximately 2,000 miles.  Are the students surprised at how much greater a diameter  the Earth has than the Moon?
  3. Tell students that if you lay four Moons end-to-end, they would fit in the Earth from one end to the other.  

Relative Distance between the Earth and Moon

Closure:

Variations

NGSS Standards

Middle School: Space Systems

Middle School Engineering:  Systems and System Models


This model was adapted from The Arkansas Leadership Workshop “Hands-On Astronomy”  headed by Linda S. Shore, 2008

The activity was adapted by Jim Clark.

Pictures by Ditmar Hospitál


By Laura Hospitál

Return to Accessible Science main page.

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