Scale Model of the Earth
Students gain an understanding of the layers of the Earth by building clay models.
Students examine the layers of the EarthCopyright Wikimedia Commons http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Earth-crust-cutaway-English-Large_label.PNG
Engineers frequently use scale models and computer simulations to test concepts without wasting costly resources. Constructing scale models of the Earth assists engineers in the design of instruments that help predict earthquakes. It also aids in the development of robots that travel deep into the different layers of the Earth. Engineers also use small-scale models of our planet to understand the relative size of the Earth, model space flight orbits around the Earth, and predict how the Earth might change over time.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the layers of the Earth.
- Make a scale model.
- Compare a model of the Earth with what it represents.
- Explain why engineers need to learn about the Earth's structure.