Arts Integration: Solar System Chemical Reaction Painting

2 Min Read  •  Arts Integration

Solar System Arts Integration is a perfect topic! If you feel like your model lessons are getting a little stale, then give this one a try!

Chemical reaction painting techniques using baking soda and vinegar add fizzy fun to any science classroom. Convert planet measurements and distances, while investigating mathematical tools like compasses. Utilize a science-based painting technique that creates both visual and physical texture while discussing color theory and mixing.

Arts Integration Connections

Art:

• Chemical reaction painting techniques
• Color Theory and mixing practice
• Texture: visual and physical

Science:

• Order and characteristics of the planets in the Solar System
• Chemical Reactions – Vinegar and Baking Soda

Math:

• Make planets to scale using diameter and measurement conversions
• Using Mathematical Tools – Compasses and Rulers

Materials

• Thick paper or watercolor paper
• Liquid Watercolor
  • See my product review
• Pipettes, medicine or eye droppers
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Muffin tin or small bowls for paint
• Pens, Crayons, and Paints for finishing touches on dried paintings
• Permanent markers for names on the back of the planets
• Something to protect tables from materials, tin foil worked for me. Cheap and Easy Clean-up.
• Paper Towels for messes

Solar System Arts Integration Process

• After or during a lesson about the Solar System, begin converting measurements into workable diameters and distances.
  • Links to Solar System Conversion Tools:
    • Build a Solar System by Exploratorium 
    • Solar System Scale Model Calculator by Think Zone 
    • Solar System Math by NASA 

• Use a compass, like this one, to create to scale planets on pieces of watercolor paper.

• Cut planets out and label them on the back with permanent marker.

• Students should also include their names on the back.

• Use color theory and mixing skills to create the perfect paint colors with liquid watercolors. Make sure colors are accurate to the planets being painted.
  • TIP: Label the paint color with which planet, sun, or moon, it belongs to.

• Mix some vinegar in with the paint.

• Cover 1 planet at a time with baking soda.
  • TIP: Remember which planet you are working with so the colors and patterns are accurate.

• Use a dropper to paint on the baking soda covered paper planets
  • TIP: This can get messy, so have some paper towels on hand.

• Watch the painting fizz away and observe the chemical reaction taking place.

• Repeat process for every planet, the sun, and moon or moons.

• Place somewhere to dry.
• Once dry, look over the planets and add any details with permanent markers, paints, paint markers, or crayons.

Assembly Ideas For Solar System Arts Integration

These planets can be…

• Placed on a piece of black paper with important information added
• Made into a mobile using proper distance conversions
• Turned into a student-driven sculpture

Extensions and Modifications

• Experiment with students ahead of time. Order of the materials can lead to an investigation using the Scientific Method.
  • What happens when you add the baking soda to the paint and then spray vinegar on it?
  • What happens when a piece of paper is coated with vinegar and then colored baking soda is painted over it
  • Hypothesize, experiment, and observe.
• This chemical reaction and other printing processes can be used for a range of lessons.

Helpful EducationCloset Links

• Textured Fireworks Science and Art Lesson
• Learning Moon Phases through the Arts
• Fun Science Experiments to try for the Classroom