Soil Layers Activity With LEGO for Kids Earth Science STEM

LEGO EARTH SCIENCE IDEAS

The other day we used our LEGO bricks to make a slice of the Earth and check out the LAYERS OF THE EARTH! I love using basic bricks to learn about new things. We have even made a LEGO VOLCANO and used a baking soda science activity with it! This is awesome hands on Earth science for kids!

LEGO SOIL LAYERS ACTIVITY

Gather you LEGO bricks and a small plate if you like. Read about or check out the various soil layers and get started. Decide what colors you want your soil layers to be and decide how big you want to build your model. We found colors we liked, but may have started out a little too big.

BUILD LEGO SOIL LAYERS

We chose traditional LEGO brick colors

SUPPLIES:

LEGO bricks of various shapes, sizes, and colors.

Plate as a base for the soil layers or a base plate if desired.

Plates for humus layer and grass layer {or you can use just one row of bricks}.

Minifigure

Some type of LEGO tree, flower, or plant for the top

Bill Nye The Science Guy: Rocks and Soil

LEARN ABOUT SOIL LAYERS

We started with a square base plate and just went around the outside of it for our layers of soil activity model. We chose grey for the bedrock, tan for the parent material, light brown for the sub soil, brown for the top soil, and black for the humus. Plus we made a layer of green grass on top.

HUMUS: Organic, rich material is one of the upper layers

TOP SOIL: Another upper layer that is mostly organic.

SUB SOIL: Not so organic but rich in minerals.

PARENT MATERIAL: Nothing living and full of rock fragments.

BEDROCK: Almost solid rock.

GET A FREE PRINTABLE COLORING SHEET OF THE SOIL LAYERS{plus others}

We also added a LEGO root! Plan ahead as you are building your model to add a root that goes down through the subsoil.

Go ahead and decorate the top! My son thought it looked like a Minecraft activity, so he continued with the theme on top. He made a large flower to go over the root as well as some hills. Steve and a pig joined, but the pig left.

EARTH SCIENCE WITH LEGO AND STEVE

Science {or STEM} can be fun especially if you have a kid who likes new LEGO projects. Make sure to give a little freedom with the soil layers activity! Sit and chat with your kids about the layers. We always enjoy watching a Bill Nye The Science Guy: Rocks and Soil Episode.

LEGO SOIL LAYERS ACTIVITY FOR KIDS

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Original article and pictures take http://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/lego-soil-layers-activity-kids-earth-science/ site