DIY Model Satellite

Make a model satellite and learn about its functions around Earth and in space!

 MATERIALS:

  • Scissors

    Aluminum Foil

    Glue

    Craft Sticks

    Water Bottles

    Cereal box cardboard

    Pencil

    Tape

    White paper

    Black marker

    Printed template, attached here

TIME ESTIMATED:

20 minutes

DIRECTIONS: 

  1. First, use the scissors to cut out all the pieces from your templates. 

  2. Wrap your water bottle with foil so it is completely covered.

  3. Now, cut rectangles and circles out of the cardboard using the template pieces. 

  4. Glue the cardboard circle to the top of your water bottle (where the lid is).

  5. Wrap your half circle around itself and tape it to make a cone shape. Glue this to the top of the circle that is already glued to your water bottle. 

  6. Wrap both of the cardboard rectangles with aluminum foil. 

  7. Using the square template piece, cut out 6 squares of white paper. 

  8. Use the marker to draw a grid on the 6 squares. These will be your solar panels!

  9. Glue the solar panels to the top of the foiled rectangles. 

  10. Glue a craft stick to the small end of each of the satellite panels

  11. With an adult's help, poke holes in the side of the water bottle with scissors and stick the craft sticks in on either side of the water bottle. 

  12. Your satellite is now finished!

Think Like a Scientist!

  • Do you know what satellites do?

  • Why did we add solar panels to our satellites?

HOW DOES IT WORK? 

Today we built our very own model satellites! A satellite is a small object that orbits (or circles) another object, like a planet. Satellites can either be natural or artificial (human-made). Things like the Earth’s moon are natural satellites while artificial satellites are those we send into orbit ourselves. Even though we can’t see them, artificial satellites are constantly rotating around the Earth. They provide things like TV, Internet, long-distance phone calls, and Global Positioning System(GPS) directions. Beyond these, satellites help us better understand our planet, monitoring Earth's environment and observing weather changes. Typically, satellites have an antenna for sending and receiving information and power sources like solar panels, which harness the sun's energy.

Further exploration:

Satellites are used by scientists every day to learn more about Earth and other objects in space. Some satellites, like space telescopes, are launched deep into space, letting us see faraway objects like stars, planets, and galaxies. Others remain closer to home, monitoring Earth’s climate and helping us map the globe. When these closer satellites get damaged, astronauts are often sent out to repair them!

ANTICIPATED CONCERNS:

Be sure to have an adult’s help with the scissors and ask for help with the instructions if confused!

Looking for more fun at-home STEM activities for your young scientist? Check out our workbook full of exciting science experiments and empowering activities! 

Learn more and purchase today!