Did you make a model of the solar system in school? [View All]

[Zomby Woof]

This flap over Pluto reminded me of years ago, when Pluto was a planet and life was simpler. ;-)

Back in 3rd grade, which was during the Ford administration for those keeping score - we were assigned the project of making a model of the solar system. How we did it was up to us. Some did drawings, some did mobiles - there was no proper format. Instead of grades, we would be given this score based on "Outstanding" (the highest), then "Excellent", a "check plus", a "check", and a "check minus" (the lowest) for the true underachievers (none of that wussy self-esteem 'all students get gold stars' shit for us - we were hardened by Watergate and Vietnam dammit!).

My sister had this craft book, and in it was a recipe which used flour, corn starch, and who knows what else, for making 'sculptures' like bookends and ashtrays. Just bake it in the oven like a poor man's ceramic, and voila! I decided that it would be cool to "bake" the planets, and paint them using tempra paint, which was the paint recommended by the book. But how would I display my baked beauties?

I took the bottom of a cardboard box, and cut holes in them just large enough to display the top half of the planets. The sun was a large styrofoam ball, painted yellow. The box was painted black, and the orbits blue lines, with the names painted next to each planet, including lowly Pluto. It was quite colorful and informative, mind you. :D

I got an "Outstanding". The teacher wanted to show the few "Outstandings" to the principal, who was duly impressed. They asked me if I had any help. Well...

I had to confess: My mom handled putting the baking sheet with the planets into the oven, and taking them out. They allowed that as acceptable help. :whew:

So! Did any of you have to make a model, or was it something given much coverage? I have always loved astronomy, and the story today got me to thinking of things which encouraged this interest.