Have you ever wondered what’s outside our world? Beyond planet earth, outer space is full of the stars you see at night, different planets and solar systems, and comets! Build a comet and learn about what a star you are today!
Comets are cosmic snowballs made out of ice and rock that orbit around the sun. There are billions of them out in the solar system, and you can even make your own simulation of a comet at home! Join Katie and Adriana to make your own comet model and learn about our star scientist, Mae Jemison.
Materials:
A scoop of sand (or dirt from your backyard), large bowl filled with crushed ice, smaller bowl, tray or plastic wrap to work on, water, spoon, gloves (optional)
Time Estimated:
3-4 hours (includes freezing time)
Directions:
Set up your workspace and pour some ice on the surface you are working on. Then add your scoop of dirt on top of the ice.
Take a few spoonfuls of water and add them to the mixture.
Use your hands and/or a spoon to get your comet mixed up.
Scoop your comet mixture into a small bowl.
Add some more water to create a soup-like mixture.
Place your mixture in the freezer for a few hours.
After the mixture has fully frozen, take it out of the freezer and dip it in some warm water. Then flip the bowl over on top of your workspace.
How It Works:
Have you ever wondered what’s outside our world? Beyond planet earth, outer space is full of the stars you see at night, different planets and solar systems, and comets!
As you may know, comets are giant balls of particles containing dust, rocks, and ice. Billions of these comets exist out in space, as they were left behind from the formation of the solar system itself! When a comet comes near the sun it heats up and some of the ice starts to melt and boil off and additionally some of its dust particles spew off into space. All of this dust and gas forms a cloud around the comet known as the comet’s tail which can stretch for millions of miles.
Comets are just one part of space, and we still have a lot to discover. Scientists say that we only know about 4% of what space is- that means 96% of space is completely unknown.
Star Scientist:
One person who helped make progress in our understanding of space is Dr. Mae Carol Jemison. She was the first black woman to ever fly into space!
Mae always had an interest in science. As a kid, she spent a lot of time at the library reading about scientific findings. She also enjoyed watching Apollo airings on TV, though she was puzzled by the lack of female astronauts on screen. When she was eight she started wondering why there weren’t any astronauts that looked like her and asked, "What happens if the aliens only see these guys and they think that everybody on Earth is a buzz-cut-haired white male?"
Before becoming an astronaut, Mae was actually a doctor. She joined NASA to study cells. In 1992 she flew into space for the first time in the space shuttle endeavor. These days, Mae is a teacher who loves showing kids like you that science is awesome!
Reflection:
What is your favorite TV show that you watch on a regular basis?
Does it have characters who you can relate to? Does it have characters who look like you or have similar backgrounds?
What about your favorite movie? Your favorite book?
Sometimes, we don’t see ourselves in the shows on TV.
Remember that just because you might not see people who represent you in the field you’re interested in or media you consume, doesn’t mean that you aren’t able to pursue that job, career, or passion. As Mae Jemison said, “Once I got into space, I was feeling very comfortable in the universe. I felt like I had a right to be anywhere in this universe, that I belonged here as much as any speck of stardust, any comet, any planet”.
Still, we want you to know that there are a lot of different people in fields that the media just doesn’t always highlight. That isn’t okay! At Boundless Brilliance, our team is full of a huge variety of people - scientists and teachers and artists and bakers - who look just like you! Check out the resources below to find even more diverse scientists!
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!
