Gravity

What holds everything together?

Lvl. 1

Gravity pulls things together.
The Sun’s gravity keeps the planets going around it.
The Earth’s gravity keeps the Moon near us.
Orbits are paths in space made by gravity.

Lvl 2

Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other.
Orbits happen when an object is moving and gravity pulls it into a curved path.
Planets orbit the Sun due to the balance between gravity and motion.
Moons orbit planets the same way planets orbit stars.

Reading

Our World in Pictures

pg. 12-13

DK’s Science as You’ve Never Seen it Before

pg. 102-103

Extra Books

Gravity (Jason Chin)
Moon Earth’s Best Friend

Videos

Beginner
Crash Course Kids: Gravity

Advanced
How to think about gravity – Jon Bergmann

Gravity Demonstration

Introduction

This activity gives learners a hands-on way to see how gravity works—especially how it causes objects to orbit bigger ones (like the Earth around the Sun or the Moon around the Earth).

Inspiration or Alternative

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG7wKcB63rY&pp=ygUeR3Jhdml0eSAmIE9yYml0cyBEZW1vbnN0cmF0aW9uLinks to an external site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0cO3v1aXms&pp=ygUeR3Jhdml0eSAmIE9yYml0cyBEZW1vbnN0cmF0aW9uLinks to an external site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3OQ7ek7t68&pp=ygUeR3Jhdml0eSAmIE9yYml0cyBEZW1vbnN0cmF0aW9uLinks to an external site.

What You Need

A stretchy cloth (like a fitted sheet or spandex fabric)
A large ball (like a tennis ball or heavy rubber ball)
Smaller balls or marbles
Optionally: string and a ball for a second version

What to Do

Set up your “space fabric”:
Stretch the cloth over a table or have a few kids or adults hold the corners so it forms a tight, taut, flat surface.
Place your “sun” in the center:
Put the heavy ball in the middle—it will make a dip in the cloth like a gravity well.
Send planets into orbit:
Roll marbles or small balls around the dip. With the right speed and angle, they’ll spiral in or even “orbit” for a bit before falling in!

What It Shows

Gravity pulls things toward the most massive object.
Just like the cloth curves around the heavy ball, space bends around stars and planets.
Orbits happen because of motion + gravity.
When you roll a marble, it wants to go straight, but gravity keeps tugging it in—resulting in a curved path.

Alternate Version (No Cloth Needed)

Ball & String Orbit Model:
Tie a small ball to a string. Swing it in a circle around your hand.
→ Your hand is the Sun, the string is gravity, and the ball is a planet in orbit.

Discussion Questions:

“What do you think would happen if the Sun disappeared?”
“Why don’t the planets fall into the Sun right away?”
“What happens when the planet moves too slowly or too fast?”

Activity: Gravity in a Bottle

Materials Needed

Clear plastic water bottle or small jar (with lid!!!)
Water
Baby oil or clear cooking oil
Cotton balls
Glitter and/or star-shaped confetti
Liquid watercolor or food coloring (multiple colors)
Optional: Sequins, glow-in-the-dark stars, or fine glitter

Instructions:

Discuss Gravity First (Short & Simple):
- Gravity is what pulls everything toward the center of Earth—including water and oil.
- Liquids that are heavier (more dense) will sink, and lighter ones will float.
- In space, there’s microgravity—liquids float and swirl!
  (Show a short video or image of liquid floating in space if you like.)
Start Layering the Galaxy:
- Add a layer of cotton balls to the bottom of the bottle to create a cloudy, nebula-like texture.
- Carefully pour in some water mixed with food coloring and glitter.
- Add a few more cotton balls, then pour in oil. Watch how the layers separate.
- Repeat layers of cotton, colored water, and oil. Try layering different colors of water each time.
- Seal the bottle tightly.
Tilt and Observe:
- Have learners tilt, swirl, and gently shake the bottle. Watch what sinks, what floats, what swirls.
- Ask them to look closely at how gravity pulls the water down and the oil separates to the top.

Reflection Questions:

“Which liquids stayed on top? Which sank to the bottom? Why?”
“What would happen if there was no gravity? Would the layers stay still or mix everywhere?”
“What did gravity help create in your bottle?”

Gravity and Orbit Dance

Activity

In the Gravity and Orbit Dance, learners explore how gravity works by moving their bodies!

Slow music = floating in space with no gravity.
Faster music = feeling gravity pull you down.

Then pretend to be planets “orbiting” the sun—moving in circles while being pulled toward the center but never crashing. It’s a fun way to feel how gravity and motion work together!

Music Suggestions:

Connect back to the Holst’s “The Planets” by using some of his pieces here!

Gravity in Balance

Making Sculptures that Hang, Move, and Float

Gravity pulls everything towards a heavier mass, but balance and design can make objects float, spin, and even “dance” in the air—just like planets orbiting the Sun or moons circling planets.

Concepts Explored:

Gravity pulls all things toward the Earth’s center.
Objects can stay “up” if they’re balanced evenly on a support point.
Art can be used to explore and demonstrate forces and motion.

Explore Balance:

Have your learner(s) try to balance a ruler or stick on one finger.
Add objects (paper clips or small toys) to one side and see what happens.
Challenge: Can you find a way to add weight to both sides so it balances again?
Show a picture of an Alexander Calder mobile or short video of kinetic sculpture.

Younger:

Alexander Calder’s Happy Art

Older:

Alexander Calder: Modern from the Start | MoMA EXHIBITION

Build a Mobile:

Start with one horizontal piece as the “arm.”
Add two hanging items of equal weight to either end—test for balance.
Then suspend another arm from one end and repeat!
Let learners layer up to 2–3 tiers, experimenting with symmetry, asymmetry, and balance.

Science Tie-In:

Just like your mobile balances because gravity pulls down and each side evens out, planets orbit because they are balanced between gravity pulling in and motion pulling away.
Earth doesn’t fall into the Sun because it’s moving sideways fast enough to stay in orbit—just like how your mobile arm doesn’t tip over if both sides are even.

Artist Spotlight – Ruth Asawa

Mint and Blom has a lesson on them you can buy as a single or as part of a Read, Grow, Glow pack.

Meet the Artist: Ruth Asawa

Who: Japanese-American artist (1926–2013)
Known for: Creating wire sculptures that hang in space, casting shadows and gently moving with the air.
Background: As a child during WWII, Asawa was forced into an internment camp with her family. She later became a renowned artist and arts education advocate.
Big Ideas to Share:
Her sculptures are made with looped wire, kind of like drawing in the air.
She made them by hand, often using repetition and balance, and let gravity shape their form.
They are delicate but strong, and they hang in space like orbits or falling water.

“I was interested in the idea that if you added wire loops one after another, you could build a form that had volume and structure, but also space and air.”

Look & Discuss (choose 1–2 sculptures to show):

You can find beautiful images and short videos on:

ruthasawa.com

Discussion Prompts:

“What shapes do you see?”
“Do these sculptures remind you of anything in nature?”
“How do you think gravity affects these pieces?”
“What would happen if one side were heavier?”
“Would you want to walk under or around one? Why?”

Mini Project: Inspired by Ruth Asawa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDpaxbyL1gU&pp=ygUPUnV0aCBBc2F3YSBraWRz

Create your own hanging sculpture using loops and balance.

Use pipe cleaners, yarn, or paper strips to loop and twist into 3D forms.
Suspend them from straws, hangers, or branches to explore balance.
Let them hang and watch gravity pull them into shape—just like Asawa’s wire forms.

Reflection Questions:

“Where do you see gravity working in your sculpture?”
“How did you make your sculpture balance?”
“What would happen if you changed the length of one string or made one side heavier?”
“Does your mobile remind you of anything in space?”
“How do you think Ruth Asawa planned her art?”

Resources:

A Life Made By Hand: The Story Of Ruth Asawa (picture book)

Ruth Asawa: An Artist Takes Shape (Graphic Novel)