Learning the Layers of Earth with LEGO Models

Learning the Layers of Earth with LEGO Models

Lego and relax! Mobile Ed has a new hands-on activity to help students dive into earth science this spring. Students interact with land features, wildlife, climate, and natural resources every day of their lives. We “dig” teaching earth science because it directly informs students about the places they call home and teaches them to think critically, use maps, and make connections between their homes and the world around them.

Mobile Ed uses hands-on learning in many of our programs, and we consistently witness great results with students. We find they are more engaged in their tasks when lessons are hands-on, helping them to stay focused and retain more information. Since its development in the 1940s, LEGO has repeatedly demonstrated that they design an excellent hands-on learning tool. Building with LEGO elements has proven to: 

• Encourage creativity and experimentation.
• Practice fine-motor skills
• Develop lateral thinking and problem-solving skills
• Improve literacy skills
• Develop early math skills 

Continue reading for an easy LEGO project to teach students about the layers of the earth!

EARTH LEGO MODELS

STEAM Activity

What You’ll Need 

• Four different colors of LEGO bricks to represent the four layers. About 20-25 LEGO bricks of each color. A size variety is beneficial if possible. 
• A reference diagram for students to work from 
• Blue, green, and white LEGO pieces for the crust (optional)

What You’ll Do 

1. Review the locations and properties of the four different layers of the earth.
2. Pick out one color to represent each layer.
3. Using your designated color, use one LEGO piece to be the inner core layer of the earth. 
4. Using your designated color, attach 4-6 LEGO pieces around the outside of the inner core piece. Maintain a spherical shape as much as possible. The shape will change depending on the student’s design. 
5. Using your designated color, attach 15-20 LEGO pieces of your mantle color and connect them to the top, bottom, and sides of the outer core. Make this layer thicker if possible. Maintain a spherical shape as much as possible.
6. Using your designated color, attach 20-30 LEGO pieces of your crust color around the mantle piece. Make this the thinnest layer if possible. 
7. If desired, include a final layer of blue/green/white LEGO pieces to demonstrate that the crust includes our continents and our oceans. 

ADVANCED VERSION: Use additional colors to include more specific parts of each layer as appropriate, such as the Lithosphere and Asthenosphere in the mantle.

THE EARTH DOME

Our Earth Dome assembly program gives students an in-depth understanding of the world around them…literally! Students go inside the Earth Dome to obtain a new perspective of the earth that they can’t experience on paper.

The Earth Dome is a giant inflatable earth-shaped balloon standing 17 feet high and 19 feet in diameter. It's made up of silkscreened panels with photographs shot from satellites of the earth's surface. Our impressive earth-shaped balloon allows students to visualize better the immensity of the planet they live on and all the parts that make it complete. Students of all ages are amazed when they experience the Earth Dome. 

In our Earth Dome program, students learn about the following: 

• Continents
• Oceans
• Mountains
• Rivers
• Scale
• Time Zones
• Latitude and longitude
• Geology
• Plate Tectonics

For more information about the Earth Dome, visit our website. Please contact us with any inquiries. 

A project inspired by Little Bins and Little Hands