Creating a solar system working model using thermocol (styrofoam) balls, LED lights, and a matching board circuit is an excellent educational project for a science exhibition.
This model will help students learn about the planets and their unique characteristics, with a fun interactive component where LED lights highlight the planets when their facts are matched correctly.
Materials Needed:
- Thermocol Balls: Different sizes to represent the planets.
- Cardboard or Foam Board: For the base and the matching board.
- LED Lights: Different colors for each planet.
- 9V Battery: To power the LEDs.
- Battery Holder and Wires: For connecting the LEDs to the power source.
- Switches or Matching Pins: For the interactive matching circuit.
- Paints and Brushes: To paint the planets and base.
- Glue and Tape: For assembling the parts.
- Scissors or Craft Knife: For cutting materials.
- Labels: To identify the planets and their facts.
- Brass Fasteners or Paper Clips: To create a simple matching mechanism on the board.
Step-by-Step Video Instructions:
1. Creating the Planets:
- Select Thermocol Balls: Choose different sizes of thermocol balls to represent the planets. For example:
- Sun: Largest ball
- Jupiter: Second largest
- Saturn: Slightly smaller than Jupiter (with a ring made from cardboard)
- Earth, Venus, Mars: Medium-sized balls
- Mercury, Neptune, Uranus: Smaller balls
- Pluto (if included): Smallest ball
- Paint the Planets: Paint each ball to resemble its respective planet:
- Sun: Yellow and orange.
- Mercury: Grey.
- Venus: Yellowish-white.
- Earth: Blue and green.
- Mars: Red.
- Jupiter: Brown with a red spot.
- Saturn: Yellow with rings.
- Uranus: Light blue.
- Neptune: Dark blue.
- Pluto: Brownish-grey.
- Add Details: Use markers or small pieces of colored paper to add details like rings on Saturn, clouds on Jupiter, or continents on Earth.
2. Mounting the Planets on the Base:
- Cut the Base: Cut a large piece of cardboard or foam board to serve as the base for your solar system.
- Arrange the Planets: Arrange the planets in order from the Sun outwards. Secure each planet on the base using glue.
- Label the Planets: Write the names of the planets on small pieces of paper and glue them next to each planet.
3. Setting Up the LEDs:
- Place LEDs in Planets: Insert an LED into each thermocol ball. You may need to create a small hole in each ball using a pencil or craft knife.
- Wiring the LEDs: Connect each LED to a wire that will lead to the matching board. Each LED will be connected to the battery via a switch or matching pin mechanism.
- Secure the Wires: Use tape or glue to secure the wires along the base, making sure they are neat and out of sight.
4. Creating the Matching Board:
- Cut the Matching Board: Cut another piece of cardboard or foam board to create the matching board. This will hold the facts about each planet.
- Write the Planet Facts: On separate pieces of paper, write interesting facts about each planet. For example:
- Mercury: “Closest planet to the Sun.”
- Venus: “Hottest planet with a thick atmosphere.”
- Earth: “Only planet known to support life.”
- Mars: “Known as the Red Planet.”
- Jupiter: “Largest planet in the solar system.”
- Saturn: “Famous for its rings.”
- Uranus: “Has a blue-green color due to methane.”
- Neptune: “Furthest planet from the Sun.”
- Add Matching Mechanism: Below each fact, place a brass fastener or create a simple pin system that, when connected to the correct planet on the base, will complete the circuit and light up the corresponding LED.
5. Wiring the Matching Board:
- Connect to the LEDs: Run wires from each fact on the matching board to the corresponding planet’s LED on the base.
- Common Ground: Connect all the negative wires from the LEDs to a common ground that will then connect to the negative terminal of the battery.
- Positive Connections: Connect the positive wires from each fact to the corresponding LED. Ensure that when the correct fact is matched to the planet, the circuit closes, and the corresponding LED lights up.
6. Setting Up the Power Supply:
- Battery Placement: Secure the 9V battery in a holder on the back of the base or the matching board.
- Final Wiring: Complete the circuit by connecting the battery to the switches or matching pins.
7. Testing and Final Touches:
- Test the LEDs: Match each fact with the correct planet and check if the LED lights up.
- Decorate the Model: You can paint the background of the base with a space theme, including stars and other celestial objects.
- Labels and Explanations: Label the matching board and provide an explanation of how the model works.
Display and Demonstration:
- Interactive Element: Allow viewers to match the facts with the correct planets. When they connect the correct match, the corresponding LED on the planet will light up.
- Educational Explanation: Prepare a brief explanation or chart to help viewers understand the unique characteristics of each planet.
This interactive solar system model not only helps students learn about the planets but also engages them in a hands-on activity that reinforces their understanding of the solar system.