The sun's diameter is 864,337 miles—challenge learners to create a scale model of the solar system that fits in your classroom. Scholars make conversions and work with scientific notation as they create the scale model. 

Concepts

conversion factors, unit conversion, dimensional analysis, scale models, scale factors, scientific notation

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Create an interdisciplinary project with the science department
• Have classes work in collaborative groups, each responsible for a different section of the model, and come together as a full class to create the comprehensive model

Classroom Considerations

• Lab activity requires an assortment of spherical objects, rulers, and modeling clay

Pros

• Includes an extension idea for high achieving learners 
• Provides suggestions on how to best facilitate the hands-on activity

Cons

• None

Common Core

HSN-Q.A.1 HSN-Q.A.2 HSN-Q.A.3 HSF-LE.A.1.a