Scientists have long thought that massive planets like Neptune and Uranus which contain relatively tiny rocky cores covered with a mantle of slurried water, ammonia, and methane ices and surrounded by a thick atmosphere—are subject to rain made with literal diamonds.

Now researchers have synthesized the process in a lab, showing how such conditions might occur. Their results support this idea.

To recreate this process in our class, we created our very own Neptune s with glass beads and play dough. In our classroom, we love to play with play dough because it has so many developmental benefits!

For one, improves fine motor skills as students manipulate the dough. Secondly, it encourages divergent thinking as students build their own creations. Lastly, it builds creativity, as students use their imaginations!