Difference between revisions of "Make a Planet Model"
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Few science fair projects are as timeless as a planet model, and for good reason. Planet models showcase knowledge about the planet, as well as skill at portraying its physical characteristics and scale. Whether you're creating a planet model for school or for fun, start by depicting your planet with papier mache or styrofoam. From there you can simply paint your planet or connect it to a solar system of your own making. | Few science fair projects are as timeless as a planet model, and for good reason. Planet models showcase knowledge about the planet, as well as skill at portraying its physical characteristics and scale. Whether you're creating a planet model for school or for fun, start by depicting your planet with papier mache or styrofoam. From there you can simply paint your planet or connect it to a solar system of your own making. | ||
| − | [[Category:Model Making]] | + | [[Category: Model Making]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#* For example, you'd want to make Mars or Mercury much smaller than Saturn or Jupiter. | #* For example, you'd want to make Mars or Mercury much smaller than Saturn or Jupiter. | ||
#Blow up a balloon. Don't blow the balloon up too much, or it will become oval in shape. Try to add just enough air to make it circular, while making it as large or small as you'd like. | #Blow up a balloon. Don't blow the balloon up too much, or it will become oval in shape. Try to add just enough air to make it circular, while making it as large or small as you'd like. | ||
| − | #* Place the balloon tied-end down in a bowl. This will hold it still and make it easier to apply the papier mache.<ref>http://elmers.com/teachers/project/paper-mache-planets#</ref> | + | #* Place the balloon tied-end down in a bowl. This will hold it still and make it easier to apply the papier mache.<ref name="rf1">http://elmers.com/teachers/project/paper-mache-planets#</ref> |
#Make your adhesive. You can use either glue and water, raw flour and water, or flour and water that's been cooked. There are different advantages to each: the glue and water is easy to mix up, the raw flour and water paste is stronger, and the boiled flour and water paste dries clear. | #Make your adhesive. You can use either glue and water, raw flour and water, or flour and water that's been cooked. There are different advantages to each: the glue and water is easy to mix up, the raw flour and water paste is stronger, and the boiled flour and water paste dries clear. | ||
| − | #* For glue and water paste, use about 1/4 cup of white school glue and add water just till it becomes slightly runny.<ref | + | #* For glue and water paste, use about 1/4 cup of white school glue and add water just till it becomes slightly runny.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* For raw flour and water, mix enough water into flour until you get the consistency you'd like. Remember that thicker paste will take longer to dry and that you'll need to let your paper mache balloon dry overnight. | #* For raw flour and water, mix enough water into flour until you get the consistency you'd like. Remember that thicker paste will take longer to dry and that you'll need to let your paper mache balloon dry overnight. | ||
| − | #* For boiled flour and water, whisk together 1/2 cup flour of flour and 2 1/2 cups of water over medium heat until the mixture boils. It will thicken into a gel as it cools.<ref>http://www.ultimatepapermache.com/paper-mache-recipes</ref><ref>http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/static/diy_sun_science/downloads/diy_ss_model_sun_earth.pdf</ref> | + | #* For boiled flour and water, whisk together 1/2 cup flour of flour and 2 1/2 cups of water over medium heat until the mixture boils. It will thicken into a gel as it cools.<ref name="rf2">http://www.ultimatepapermache.com/paper-mache-recipes</ref><ref name="rf3">http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/static/diy_sun_science/downloads/diy_ss_model_sun_earth.pdf</ref> |
#Shred your papers. You can use newspapers, brown craft paper, or construction paper. Use whatever you have easy access to and be sure to rip your paper into pieces or strips. | #Shred your papers. You can use newspapers, brown craft paper, or construction paper. Use whatever you have easy access to and be sure to rip your paper into pieces or strips. | ||
#* Avoid cutting the papers. The straight lines will be visible once the paper mache dries. The torn edges of your ripped papers will blend in better. | #* Avoid cutting the papers. The straight lines will be visible once the paper mache dries. The torn edges of your ripped papers will blend in better. | ||
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#Let your papier mache balloon dry. Leave it in a warm place to dry overnight. The paper and paste must be completely dry before you begin painting or decorating your model. If you don't let it dry, it may mold. | #Let your papier mache balloon dry. Leave it in a warm place to dry overnight. The paper and paste must be completely dry before you begin painting or decorating your model. If you don't let it dry, it may mold. | ||
#* In some cases, it may take longer to dry. If your balloon has a lot of paste or layers, it may take more time. Try letting it dry a few days. | #* In some cases, it may take longer to dry. If your balloon has a lot of paste or layers, it may take more time. Try letting it dry a few days. | ||
| − | #Pop the balloon. Once your paper mache is dry, pop the balloon using a pin or a thumbtack.<ref | + | #Pop the balloon. Once your paper mache is dry, pop the balloon using a pin or a thumbtack.<ref name="rf3" /> Remove the deflated balloon and any bits of balloon that may be inside your hollow planet. |
| − | #Paint your planet. For a simple model, use acrylic to paint your planet with its predominant color.<ref>http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=236</ref> | + | #Paint your planet. For a simple model, use acrylic to paint your planet with its predominant color.<ref name="rf4">http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=236</ref> |
#* For the Sun, use yellow. | #* For the Sun, use yellow. | ||
#* For Mercury, use grey. | #* For Mercury, use grey. | ||
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#Decide which planet to make. This will help you determine how large to make your planet. While this isn't too important if you're only making one, if you decide to make a whole solar system of planets, you may want to make them somewhat to scale. | #Decide which planet to make. This will help you determine how large to make your planet. While this isn't too important if you're only making one, if you decide to make a whole solar system of planets, you may want to make them somewhat to scale. | ||
#* For example, you'd want to make Mars or Mercury much smaller than Saturn or Jupiter. | #* For example, you'd want to make Mars or Mercury much smaller than Saturn or Jupiter. | ||
| − | #Select styrofoam (thermocol) balls. If you're only doing one planet, make it whatever size you'd like, but if you decide to make an entire solar system, choose different sizes. This will allow you to accurately depict the scale of the planets.<ref>http://www.styrofoamcrafts.com/project.aspx?id=179-11468#.VJcwdl4AF</ref> | + | #Select styrofoam (thermocol) balls. If you're only doing one planet, make it whatever size you'd like, but if you decide to make an entire solar system, choose different sizes. This will allow you to accurately depict the scale of the planets.<ref name="rf5">http://www.styrofoamcrafts.com/project.aspx?id=179-11468#.VJcwdl4AF</ref> |
#* For the Sun, use a 5 or 6-inch ball. | #* For the Sun, use a 5 or 6-inch ball. | ||
#* For Mercury, use a 1-inch ball. | #* For Mercury, use a 1-inch ball. | ||
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#* For Neptune, use a 2-inch ball. | #* For Neptune, use a 2-inch ball. | ||
#* For Pluto, use a 1.25-inch ball. | #* For Pluto, use a 1.25-inch ball. | ||
| − | #Paint your planet. For a simple model, use acrylic to paint your planet with its predominant color.<ref | + | #Paint your planet. For a simple model, use acrylic to paint your planet with its predominant color.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#* For the Sun, use yellow. | #* For the Sun, use yellow. | ||
#* For Mercury, use grey. | #* For Mercury, use grey. | ||
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#* For Pluto, use light brown. | #* For Pluto, use light brown. | ||
#Add texture or defining characteristics to your model. If your planet has several colors, go back and dab the other color over the surface. If your planet has rings, attach wire or a styrofoam ring around the planet. | #Add texture or defining characteristics to your model. If your planet has several colors, go back and dab the other color over the surface. If your planet has rings, attach wire or a styrofoam ring around the planet. | ||
| − | #* For rings, you can also cut the styrofoam planet model in half horizontally and glue an old cd through the center. Reattach the styrofoam halves with glue. The CD should appear as rings around the planet.<ref>http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/saturn-model/en/</ref> | + | #* For rings, you can also cut the styrofoam planet model in half horizontally and glue an old cd through the center. Reattach the styrofoam halves with glue. The CD should appear as rings around the planet.<ref name="rf6">http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/saturn-model/en/</ref> |
#* For craters, you can chip out bits of styrofoam to make a craggy surface. You'll want to dab fresh paint over these areas. | #* For craters, you can chip out bits of styrofoam to make a craggy surface. You'll want to dab fresh paint over these areas. | ||
#Prepare dowel rods if you want to make a solar system. If you've made all the planets to scale, take dowel rods and cut them to size. This will ensure that the planets are the appropriate distance apart. | #Prepare dowel rods if you want to make a solar system. If you've made all the planets to scale, take dowel rods and cut them to size. This will ensure that the planets are the appropriate distance apart. | ||
