DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Universe in a Jar Craft

Universe in a jar craftThis enchanting craft is perfect for little astronauts and stargazers, transforming everyday materials into a swirling, sparkling universe of their own.

All you need is a humble baby food jar or a small mason jar, some warm distilled water for clarity and longevity, and the classic Elmer's glue to give our galaxy its magical, slow-moving swirl. Dive into your craft drawer for sequins that shimmer like distant stars, sparkles that dazzle like comets, and bits of aluminum foil to mimic mysterious cosmic bodies.

Materials:

Instructions:

 

THE BIG BANG THEORY

The Big Bang Theory is a broadly accepted theory for the origin and evolution of our universe.  Having said that, it's still "just a theory".

It rests on two ideas:

In the Big Bang Theory, the universe began with an instantaneously expanding point, roughly ten to twenty billion years ago (in simpler terms, everything was clumped together in the middle and then it blew up! ... shake your universe in a jar to see it blow up).  Since then, the universe has continued to expand, gradually increasing the distance between our Galaxy and external galaxies. 

Gravity slows the expansion of the universe (just like it slows the things we put in our jar).  If the universe is dense enough, the expansion of the
universe will eventually reverse and the universe will collapse (just like the stuff in our jar settles back to the bottom).

If the density is not high enough, then the expansion will continue forever.  (sorry, you aren't going to be able to get your jar to do this!)

Thus, the density of the universe will determine its ultimate fate. 

 

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