Solar System Surge – Solar System – Space & Solar System

TopicSpace and the Solar System

In Solar System Surge in the Solar System, students investigate a dangerous instability causing orbits to wobble and gravity to fluctuate. With help from the Starlings, explorers stabilize the system by learning core space concepts through nine quick challenges.

Included Free ResourcesInteractive online adventure, printable trading cards, and printable completion certificate with reward code.

Students collect a letter after each subsetting and combine them to form a recovery code used to finish the mission and access the certificate.

Objective: Students explain key parts of the solar system and how gravity and orbits create stability.

Time: 30 to 45 minutes

Materials: Student devices, Genially link, printed trading cards (optional), pencils for code letters, certificate printout (optional).

Warm Up (5 min): Ask: What keeps planets from flying away. Collect quick ideas.

Explore (20 to 30 min): Students complete the online adventure and answer nine questions using the trading cards as clues.

Wrap Up (5 to 10 min): Students share the recovery code, discuss one new fact learned, and receive their certificate.

Before class, open the Genially link to confirm it loads and that the code entry slide is working. Print the trading cards and certificates ahead of time, or allow students to cut them out if you want an extra hands on step.

Students can work independently with a device each, or in pairs with one device. At the end, have students show you the completed code screen, then hand out certificates or let them access the printable certificate.

Optional: play quiet space themed music and dim lights to make the mission feel like a launch and control room experience.

• Solar system The Sun and everything that orbits it.
• Sun The star at the center of our solar system.
• Inner planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
• Outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
• Orbit The path an object takes around another object.
• Gravity A force that pulls objects toward each other.
• Moon A natural satellite that orbits a planet.
• Asteroid A rocky object that orbits the Sun.
• Comet An icy object that can glow near the Sun.
• Space exploration Using spacecraft to study space beyond Earth.

1. What does the solar system include. Answer: The Sun and everything that orbits it, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
2. What is the Sun. Answer: A star at the center of the solar system that provides light and heat.
3. Which planets are the inner planets. Answer: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
4. What are the outer planets mostly made of. Answer: Mostly gas or ice, and they are much larger than inner planets.
5. What is an orbit. Answer: The path an object takes as it moves around another object.
6. What does gravity do. Answer: It pulls objects toward each other and helps keep planets and moons in place.
7. What do moons do. Answer: Moons orbit planets, and some planets have many moons.
8. Asteroids vs comets. Answer: Asteroids are rocky, while comets are icy and can glow near the Sun.
9. What is space exploration used for. Answer: Using spacecraft to study planets, stars, and beyond to learn about the universe.

• What would happen if gravity suddenly became weaker in our solar system.
• Why do you think inner planets are rocky while outer planets are mostly gas or ice.
• How does learning about orbits help scientists predict what might happen in space.
• If you could explore one planet or moon, which would you choose and why.

• Dim the lights and use a space themed background sound or music.
• Project a starfield or solar system image on the board as a mission backdrop.
• Call the room Mission Control and have students speak in short mission updates.
• Give students a simple launch checklist: pencil, code letters, and card clues ready.

This quick DIY dig lets students excavate a hidden specimen using simple materials.

Mix Ratio: 1 part plaster of Paris, 1 part water, 3 parts sand.

Steps:

• Place a small tumbled stone, gravel, or any clean small rock into a paper cup or silicone mold.
• Mix 3 parts sand with 1 part plaster, then stir in 1 part water until it feels like thick wet sand.
• Spoon the mixture over the stone and press gently to pack it down.
• Let it dry fully, then have students excavate using a craft stick, spoon, or plastic tool.

Tips: Ask families for extra rocks to donate, or use inexpensive tumbled stones. Even smooth creek stones or clean gravel works great.

This adventure supports elementary NGSS aligned learning around space systems, patterns of motion, and using evidence to explain how objects move.

• 1-ESS1-1 Use observations of the Sun, Moon, and stars to describe patterns over time.
• 5-PS2-1 Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
• 3-5-ETS1 Define problems and compare solutions (mission style problem solving).

Teacher note: Adjust standards listing to match your grade band and local pacing.

This section is where you can add your PDF links for the free printable trading cards and the printable certificate with reward code.

Tip: Print cards on cardstock for durability, then cut ahead of time or have students cut as a quick add on activity.

Want full Adventure Packs for every student in your classroom. We have a simple program that helps PTAs and PTOs sponsor free kits for schools. If your PTA is looking for an easy win, share this link or put them in contact with us and we will get started immediately.

See the Free Kits PTA program here