A Human Orrery

Posted September 26th, 2007 by admin
in
Authors
Source: 

NASA Kepler Mission
Lawrence Hall of Science
Alan Gould
http://kepler.nasa.gov/ed/pdf/HumanOrrery.pdf
http://kepler.nasa.gov/ed/
http://kepler.nasa.gov/ed/pdf/HumanOrrery2007.pdf

A 3-Dimensional Kinesthetic Model of the Solar System: 2 dimensions of space and 1 of time.
This "human orrery" is a model of the solar system in which students act out the model and set it in motion. Students measure out orbits for the inner solar system and place footsteps markers along the orbits, to indicate the position of each planet in 2-week intervals. Students take turns in teams of 4 to 'walk the model,' setting the planets in motion, and seeing vividly how the speeds of the planets in their orbits depend on distance from the Sun.

Other information about this activity
Length of Activity: 
45 minutes
Can non-scientists successfully conduct this activity?: 
Educator with subject matter knowledge
Non-science teacher
What level of help is needed to conduct?: 
Materials are self-explanatory
Comments: 
The origin of the word "orrery" is from an orrery (clock device that showed the motion of planets around the Sun) commisioned for Charles Boyle, the 4th Earl of Orrery, in the early 18th Century.
Required Supplies: 

2005 version: push pins, cardboard, post-it notes or masking tape, string, card stock
The 2007 version is from the yet-to-be-published (spring 2008) GEMS Space Science Core Curriculum Sequence for Grades 6-8 (I think) http://www.carolina.com/carolina_curriculum/gems/space_science.asp

Access: 
free download of pdfs
Material Type: 
File
Web