Scale Models
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Date
2011
Authors
University of Texas at Austin
McDonald Observatory
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
McDonald Observatory
Abstract
Department
Description
Introduction: Without being informed of the expected product, the students will
make a Play-doh model of the Earth-Moon system, scaled to size and
distance. The facilitator will reveal the true identity of the system at
the conclusion of the activity. During the construction phase, students
try to guess what members of the solar system their model represents.
Each group receives different amounts of Play-doh, with each group
assigned a color (red, blue, yellow, white). At the end, groups set up
their models and inspect the models of other groups. They report patterns
of scale that they notice; as the amount of Play-doh increases,
for example, so do the size and distance of the model.