Students investigate the Sun and eight planets to answer how math, science, and art can work together to create an accurate, clear solar system model. They use museum partner photos and facts to measure, compare, label, and arrange planets by order, relative size, and distance while noticing patterns and key differences. In small groups, they co-design a display with a model, poster, and fact cards, practicing shared decision-making, problem solving, and clear communication. The experience ends with a gallery walk and circle reflection so students can explain what they learned about planets and how they worked with others.

Students will identify the Sun and eight planets, describe key parts and features, and explain simple patterns such as planet order and differences they notice. Students will measure, compare, and arrange objects with nonstandard units to build a clear scale model that shows relative size and distance. Students will use color, shape, labels, and simple science vocabulary to create and present a group display with a poster, model, and fact cards. Students will collaborate to sketch, build, give feedback during a gallery walk, and reflect on what they learned and how they worked together.

Students will create planning sketches, measurement layouts with nonstandard units, and labeled practice drawings as they investigate the Sun and eight planets with museum photos and facts. In small groups, they will build a gallery display that includes a solar system model, a poster, and planet fact cards showing names, key features, order, and relative size or distance with clear color, shape, and labels. During the gallery walk, students will add sticky-note or oral feedback to classmates’ displays, noting one new planet fact and one strength they noticed in another group’s model.

Begin with an “Orbit Discovery Day” where students rotate through a mini science museum display of planet photos, simple facts, and model materials shared by a museum educator or classroom setup. Gather students to introduce the question, “How can we use math, science, and art to build a solar system model that is accurate and clear?” and invite them to notice patterns such as planet order, size, color, and labels. In small groups, students talk about what they observed, use nonstandard units to test how they might show size and distance, and sketch a first plan for their model and poster. Close the launch with each group sharing one idea they want to try and one job each member will take during building.

Host a classroom “Orbit Discovery Gallery” where each small group displays its poster, scale model, and fact cards, then explains how math, science, and art helped them make the model accurate and clear. Invite the science museum partner, another 2nd grade class, and families to visit, ask questions about planet order, size, and key features, and listen as students use simple solar system vocabulary. Build in a short gallery walk so visitors and classmates can leave sticky notes or give oral feedback naming one new planet fact they learned and one strength they noticed in each group’s display. End with a whole-group circle where students share one thing they learned and one way they worked well with others.