Creating the layers of the Earth with clay is a fun and educational activity for kids to learn about the structure of our planet. This activity is a great way to introduce kids to the structure of the Earth in a hands-on and interactive way. They can even use the model to demonstrate how earthquakes or volcanic eruptions occur. It also provides a fun opportunity to get creative and experiment with different colors and shapes. Have fun exploring the layers of the Earth with clay!
DIFFICULTY
Easy
MATERIALS
Different colored clay (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, and black). We like to use the Crayola brand. Another option is to use play-dough that you have at home or create your own play-dough with flour.
Rolling pin
Clay cutter
Flossing string
Plastic mat or surface to work on
INSTRUCTIONS
Choose your colors! The Earth has several distinct layers, and each layer has a different color. For this activity, we recommend using orange the interior core, yellow for the exterior core, red for the mantle, brown for the crust and blue for the oceans/water.
Using a rolling pin, roll out each color of clay into thin, flat sheets. You can choose the thickness of each layer based on your preference, but we recommend making the layers relatively thin to show the distinct boundaries between them and making the mantle a little thicker.
After you have cut out all the circles, it's time to stack them. Begin by placing the orange interior core on your work surface, and then place the orange exterior core on top of it. Continue stacking each layer on top of the previous one in the following order: red mantle, brown crust and blue water/ocean. We also added the green continents to make it look more like earth.
As you stack each layer, smooth the edges to make sure that there are no gaps or overlaps between them. You can use your fingers or a small tool to gently press the layers together.
Once you have stacked all the layers, you can shape your clay Earth into a sphere. Use your hands to gently mold the layers into a round shape, taking care not to squish or distort any of the layers.
This part is where it gets fun! Use a flossing string to cut the earth sphere in half to see the layers.
Enjoy your creation! Congratulations, you have successfully created the layers of the Earth with clay! Your final product is a colorful and tactile representation of the structure of our planet.
THE SCIENCE
The Earth has four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core (exterior core), and inner core (interior core).
The crust is the outermost layer and is where we live. It's like the skin on an apple.
The mantle is the next layer, and it's much thicker than the crust. It's like the fleshy part of the apple. The mantle is made of hot, molten rock that is always moving around.
The outer core is the layer after the mantle, and it's made of liquid metal. It's like the gooey part of the apple's core.
Finally, the inner core is the very center of the Earth, and it's made of solid metal. It's like the hard center of an apple.
All of these layers work together to make the Earth a very special and unique planet. They also help to protect us from harmful things in space, like the sun's radiation.
SAFETY
Adult supervision required for any of these activities. Please supervise and make sure children participating are safe. Read instructions and the safety labels from each used materials.
DISCLAIMER
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