Classroom Happenings: Mapping the Planets

Trying to understand the complexities of our solar system can be daunting. How big is it? What is the distance between each planet? (For example, how can we visualize the vastness of the distance between the sun and the Earth, which is a whopping 93 million miles?) This semester, Middle School Science Teacher Sarah Bain came up with a novel way to illustrate the enormous expanse of the solar system. 

Steward’s 2025-26 schoolwide theme of nature inspired Ms. Bain to think beyond the traditional classroom. On a brisk winter day, she and her students headed to the Colonnade to map out a model of the distances between planets. Using their math and critical thinking skills, students calculated the scaled distance of each planet from the sun using the scale that one astronomical unit (AU) is equal to six meters on the model, which they jotted on worksheets. 

Then, they used meter sticks or measuring tapes, depending on the distance, to mark where each planet was located on the model along the length of the Colonnade. Finally, they walked as a group from one end to the other, noting that the sun was located at the doors to Lower School and Neptune was situated near the very last column of the Colonnade next to the Upper School parking lot. Watch a video of the project. (Original audio recordings courtesy of NASA: Apollo 9 Mission, March 1969, and Apollo 11 Mission, July 1969.)

“As we approached Neptune, the question every student asked was, 'Where is Pluto?” said Ms. Bain. “We returned to the classroom and calculated that Pluto would be located 56.4 meters farther and would be in the neighborhood behind Steward!” 

Lilly Kersey ’30 was surprised to realize how far away some of the planets are. Being outside, she added, “is calming … and it helps me to understand the material better because I am doing a hands-on activity.” Her biggest takeaway? “Even though Venus is the hottest planet, it is not the closest planet to the sun!”

Wowed by the size of the solar system, Emerson Babik ’30 said, “When I figured out how much the sizes of the planets vary, it really put into perspective the size of our solar system!” The solar system is fascinating to Emerson because of “how perfect it is … it amazes me that if gravity were stronger or weaker by a mere 1%, our earth would be destroyed.” Stepping outside for classes, he added, “makes me feel more connected to and interested in the lesson.”

Problem solving, teamwork, and discovering new ways of seeing the world embody Steward’s core values (academic achievement, care & respect, civil discourse, individuality, innovation, and inspiration). Ms. Bain noted, “It’s challenging to understand the magnitude of not only our solar system but also our universe. This exercise resulted in a real ‘a-ha’ moment for lots of my students. They could more easily visualize the scale of the universe and the planets within it. And being outside in nature was a bonus. A chance to enjoy the fresh air is always enriching.”