Description

Children often lie on the grass outside, looking up at the night sky, and wonder about the twinkling stars, and the glowing moon.  The solar system activity attempts to introduce them to the concept of what is beyond Earth.  And to explain how they inter-connect with all things in the universe, extends beyond the world, as they know it. 

With this activity, the Child explores the relative sizes, distances, and order of the celestial bodies in our solar system. The mat accurately represents the distances of the planets, from the sun (which is a star), and is proportionally scaled.   The eight planets are also scaled to the actual size of each planet, proportionate to the Sun.

What is the Solar System?

Approximately 4.6 billion years ago, a cloud of gas, and dust, called the solar nebula, formed our planetary system.   The Sun, a star, formed in the centre of this solar system.  Eight planets, with their assorted moons, orbit the Sun at various distances, following the curved path of a celestial object.

Our solar system is a small part of a huge amount of stars, and other objects, that make up the Milky Way galaxy.  This is only one of billions of galaxies, that in turn, make up our universe.

What planets make up the Solar System?

1. Mercury is the closest to the Sun, with daytime temperatures of 400°C / 755°F
2. Venus comes closer to the Earth than any other planet, and spins in the opposite direction to the Earth
3. Earth is the only planet that we know of, that can support life, because of water and oxygen
4. Mars, known as the Red Planet, is half the size of Earth
5. Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system
6. Saturn, has rings.  Water, ice and dust make up the rings
7. Uranus spins on it’s side and also in the opposite direction to the other planets
8. Neptune is dark, cold, and very windy

Contents and dimensions of the Solar System Activity

• Mat – 185 cm x 60 cm / (72¾” x 23½”)
• 8 planets –
  • circular acrylic discs in various sizes, overlaid with a detailed image of each planet, scaled to size
  • NB – each acrylic disc has a thin plastic film to protect the image from scratches.  If the teacher wishes to, they can remove this protection.
• 9 labels, 1 for each planet and the Sun
• Illustrated control book, describing each planet in detail.  30 pages – 12.5 cm x 9.5 cm / (6″ x 5″)
• 15 Definition cards, reflecting the control book
• Plastic container with a lid – 25.5 cm x 15 cm x 5 cm / (10″ x 6″ x 2″)

Please note – the magnifying glass is not included.  We sell it as a separate item.

Further Information

Related Products

• Solar System – 3 Part Cards
• Planets of the Solar System Objects
• Lunar Viewer – Northern Hemisphere
• Lunar Viewer – Southern Hemisphere
• Magnifying Glass
• The Sun Game

Further Reading and Referenced Material

1. An Introduction to Cosmic Education a blog written by Montessori Academy Australia