SOLAR SYSTEM project
A learning & community engagement project by 4th-6th grade students.
ABOUT
Willowwind School's 4th-6th grade students and teachers are excited to share their most recent learning project with the wider community. Students spent several weeks researching the eight major planets in our solar system, as well as Pluto and the Sun. They worked in teams to research a planet of their choosing and wrote a two paragraph summary of what they learned. Students then collaborated on composing a tanka, a Japanese form of poetry similar to a haiku, inspired by their planet.
Beginning with the Sun at E. Court St. and S. Westminster St. and extending nearly 1/3 mile along the Court Hill Trail, visitors will find kinetic sculptures representing ten celestial bodies. Accompanying each sculpture is an informational sign with the students’ research and original poetry. This project will be unveiled on May 23rd and will remain up into the fall of 2023.
This project was supported by many teachers, staff members, and parent volunteers at Willowwind School, as well as Tyler Baird and the City of Iowa City Parks Department, Jim Rogers at PlexiCraft Inc., and Jay Herman of Herman Enterprises.
PHOTO GALLERY
Below you’ll find process photos beginning with the first meeting students and teachers had at Court Hill Park with the IC Parks Dept; the many steps of creating the multimedia planet sculptures; ending with the unveiling of the signage which contains student research and original poetry.
PLANET RESEARCH AND POETRY SIGNS
Explore our solar system and read a summary of student research and original poetry inspired by the 8 major planets in our solar system, as well as the Sun, and Pluto. Click on each image to enlarge.
