Design of a 3D Printable Time Simulating Solar System Model

The previous paper presented at the 2016 FCRAR discussed the research topic of creating time simulating solar system models. This paper is an overview of the work done over the passed year in solar system model creation and the potential future work in STEM education. The use of designed tools to assist with relating abstract ideas to reality is now a possibility with the use of the modern manufacturing method of 3D printing. A 3D printed solar system model was designed and printed. Research was conducted to relate the history of mechanical engineering and the solar system to STEM education through the use of the solar system model. The inner four planets’ natural orbital periods with respect to Earth were modeled in SolidWorks and then fabricated using 3D printing. A 3D printable mechanical time simulating solar system model used in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) could assist with the user’s understanding of the history of science, planetary orbital mechanics, gearing ratios, 3D printing, and systematically constructing a project using instructions. This paper describes the design of a 3D printable time simulating solar system model and how its construction could be used to teach the history of mechanical engineering and the abstract idea of the solar system. The combination of these two ideas could inspire users to learn, pursue coursework and, eventually, a career in a STEM field.