Science Project

This project will be done in class.

Materials needed:

• Playdough (see below for recipe)
• Black thread
• Cardboard box with the flaps cut off
• Nine different colors of paint

Recipe for playdough

4 cups flour

1 cup salt

4 cups water

4 tablespoons oil

1/2 cup cream of tartar

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook and stir over low/medium heat until play dough is completely formed and no longer sticky. Allow to cool slightly before storing in an air tight container or zip lock bag.

After the play dough has been cooled, you may begin forming it into balls to make your "planets". It is very important that you stick in the black thread inside your planet so you will be able to hang it from the ceiling of your box. Make sure that the black thread has two or three strands so it will be able to hold up your planet. This will save you a lot of time if you do this before they air out. The planets will need to be air dried so keep them out so they will become nice and hard. After they are hard, begin painting them. Be sure to paint them according to their color. To find out their color, use your science textbook to write down the colors on the chart below.

Begin decorating your box. The inside of the box should look like outer space. You may use paint, construction paper, stickers, etc. to make it look as real as possible. You may use the internet to print off asteroids and comets to put on the "walls" of your box as well. Be creative and use your imagination! Look through the science books in the classroom for ideas, and check out some books from the library on your own.

After your box is decorated, you may begin hanging the "planets" and the "sun" from the ceiling of the box. Make sure the string stays intact so the planets will not fall. Thread your dental floss with a needle and poke the hole with the needle and tie the knot on top so the floss will stay. You should have your parents' help with using the needle. Make sure your planets are hanging in the correct order.

After you are done with this part, you should now begin writing the information of your planets on the index cards. The following information needs to be included on each card.

Name of planet:

Where its name originated from:

Order from the sun:

Distance from the sun:

Color of the planet:

Length of one day ( how long it takes for the planet to make one revolution):

Length of one year ( how long it takes for the planet to travel one time around the sun):

Any other interesting facts (Note: not every planet will have an interesting fact):

This will be graded on the following criteria:

1. Following directions

2. Information completed on each index card

3. Spelling on index cards

4. Neatness on index cards and on the project

5. Creativity in decorating box

6. Turning this project in on time (you may not turn it in early). This project will have 7 points counted off for each day turned in late. Please plan ahead and keep the instructions in a place where they do not get lost. This project counts as two test grades!!

7. Parent Signature