How do you properly illustrate the extreme size difference between two planets—Earth and Jupiter? With the help of jellybeans, of course! Create a scale model of Jupiter's mass compared to Earth using a fishbowl, 1,400 beans, and a dixie cup. 

Concepts

planets, the solar system, jupiter, planet earth, the earth, comparing size, size, model making

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• To help gather materials, ask families to donate what is needed to complete the activity 
• Instruct class members to fill the dixie cups with beans and pour them into the fishbowl 
• Continue the class discussion with questions posed on a classroom blog 

Classroom Considerations

• The resource is the first in a series of 10 lesson plans that explore our solar system 
• A large amount of materials are required to conduct the activity 
• If you decide to use jellybeans take classroom allergies into consideration 

Pros

• The model provides learners with a physical scale comparison for enhanced comprehension 
• Lesson instructions offer several model modifications 

Cons

• The lesson plan uses informal language