Abstract: It can be challenging to envision the concepts and chemistry of climate science – but teaching with Lego bricks can make these topics fun and accessible!
Drawing upon the resources from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Edgerton Center, I will provide Lego examples of combustion burning and then the carbon dioxide impact on coral reefs. My demonstrations will show Lego molecules and how to easily use them for online or classroom teaching, or for informal science activities.
These have been among the most popular science activities among my Teacher College students at Western Governors University (which graduated 5% of the new teachers in the United States last year!).
I could also expand this to be a 50-minute interactive session if the ASP would prefer a longer format.
Additional materials and teacher guides are available via the MIT Edgerton Center – Lego Science website.
Guides for how to teach about chemistry and our Earth’s atmosphere and climate with Lego bricks: MIT Edgerton Center – Lego Science: Molecule Sets | MIT Edgerton Center Photosynthesis (water + carbon dioxide = glucose sugar + oxygen): Photosynthesis | MIT Edgerton Center Understanding Air and Burning Fuel (propane + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water): Understanding Air | MIT Edgerton Center
Additional demonstrations and materials: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/downloads/ed_5ss_LegoMolecules.pdf https://rmpbs.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/envh10.health.lp58a/understanding-air-climate-change-and-modeling-combustion-with-legosupsup-bricks/ Understanding Air: Climate Change and Modeling Combustion with LEGO® Bricks | PBS LearningMedia
