A New Way To Learn About The Solar System

"My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants” - This is not the title of a new fiction story, but rather a nnemonic (helps you remember), created by 4th-Grader Maryn Smith, winner of the National Geographic "Planet Contest".

The contest was sponsored in response to the fact that scientists now believe there are eleven planets in our solar system instead to the original nine. The two new ones, Ceres and Erin, as well as Pluto, are now considered "dwarf" planets.

Maryn's entire 4th grade class at Riverview Elementary School in Great Falls, Montana decided to enter the contest. Other entries from her class were "My Very Extraordinary Mother Carrie Just Served Us Nine Pizzas Each " and "My Very Extraordinary Mother Can Jog Superly Under Nasty Particular Elves".

Mary says the inspiration for her slogan - "My (Mercury) very (VENUS) exciting (EARTH) magic (MARS) carpet (CERES) just (JUPITER) sailed (SATURN) under (URANUS) nine (NEPTUNE) palace (PLUTO) elephants (ERIS)" - came from the story "Aladdin".

Mary's reward for her efforts includes a tote bag filled with books, a National Geographic tee shirt and hat, toys and other merchandise. Also, her name and the slogan will be featured in a new National Geographic book about the planets entitled - "11 Planets, A New View of the Solar System" by David Aguilar. And that's not all - there are rumors that it will also be recorded into a song by American singer, songwriter and actress, Lisa Loeb.

Of course, the icing on the cake is that kids all across America and even the world will be memorizing her catchy slogan!

sources: Nationalgeographic.com, examiner.com