Saturn's Brilliant Rings

Rocket into space! Create a compelling dimensional picture of what you are learning about Saturn and the fascinating rings that surround it.

• 1.

  Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and the second largest in the solar system. It is the only planet with beautiful gas rings surrounding it. Find out more about this fascinating celestial body. Here’s one way to create a dramatic representation of the planet.

• 2.

  Draw a circle with a diameter of about 3 inches (7.6 cm) on the back of Crayola Color Explosion™ paper with Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils. Flatten the circle slightly on the bottom edge so that it will look like the rings are in front of the planet. Cut out the planet with Crayola Scissors. Draw another circle slightly larger than the first, flatten the bottom, and cut it out.

• 3.

  On both planets, create interesting texture by using the Color Explosion color-reveal marker to draw sketchy lines following the circular shape. Insert a small circle of foam core between the planets. Attach the smaller one to the larger one with a Crayola Glue Stick. Glue another piece of foam core to the back.

• 4.

  Set your planets near the top center of a full sheet of Color Explosion paper. Use the color-reveal marker to trace around the larger one.

• 5.

  Saturn has three rings (named A, B, and C), although one is very faint and hard to see from Earth. The gap that is most noticeable is called the Cassini Division, so that is what this model shows. On white paper, make patterns for the rings. Draw two conc

• 6.

  Trace your ring patterns on another sheet of Color Explosion. Decorate and cut them out. Glue small pieces of foam on the back of the rings. Glue rings to your background on top of the ones you drew. This will give your picture dimension. Saturn and its r

Benefits

• Students research scientific information about the planet Saturn.
• Students represent the planet visually in 3-dimensional artwork.
• Students research scientific information about the planet Saturn. Students represent the planet visually in 3-dimensional artwork. Students use simple techniques to add dimension to art that can be used with many other projects.

Adaptations

• Work in groups. Each student researches and depict a different planet in the solar system. Display the planets as a whole.
• Expand the project to include the sun, planets, dwarf planets, stars, meteors, and other bodies in the solar system.
• Assessment: Students will be successful if they depict a layered, 3-dimensional facsimile of the planet Saturn with its surrounding rings.