Using a collection of basic LEGO™ bricks and the accompanied teaching materials, educators can teach cross-cutting concepts pertaining to biology, chemistry, and earth science as well as meets the Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS).
There are five sets, appropriate for ages 11 and older.
MIT Edgerton Center | Molecule Sets: Chemical Reactions Unit
This unit is appropriate for ages 11 and older. The students are introduced to atoms, molecules, compounds, and mixtures, using LEGO™ bricks as atoms. Participating in a hands-on wet lab, students experience a chemical reaction, and then they can model the same reaction with LEGO™ bricks.
MIT Edgerton Center | Molecule Sets: Photosynthesis Lesson
This lesson is appropriate for ages 11 and older. The students model the photosynthesis reaction with LEGO™ bricks by building the products from the reactants. Student start with carbon dioxide and water molecules and use them to create glucose and oxygen. Students can show how plants use glucose by modeling cellular respiration and by building starch and cellulose.
MIT Edgerton Center | Molecule Sets: Understanding Air Lesson
This lesson is appropriate for ages 11 and older. To better understand air and climate change, the program emphasizes the molecular composition of air. Using LEGO™ bricks as atoms, the students build a model of air as a mixture. Next, they model a combustion to see how burning fossil fuels adds carbon dioxide and other unhealthy pollutants into the air.
MIT Edgerton Center | Molecule Sets: MIT Edgerton Center | Molecule Sets: Understanding Oceans Lesson
This lesson is appropriate for ages 11 and older. Understanding Oceans has students model ocean acidification using LEGO™ bricks as atoms. The students also learn more about pH and how changes with the natural pH can lead to negative impacts.
MIT Edgerton Center | Molecule Sets: Additional Reaction Mats
With this set, it is possible to experience additional chemical reactions modeled with LEGO™ bricks. The students build the reactants and products using a layout mat.
- Epson salt and ammonia reaction mat
- Iron and oxygen reaction (rusting) mat
- Baking soda and vinegar reaction mat
- Trichloroethylene pollution cleanup mat
- Toxic mercury in our environment mat
- Vog (volcanic smog) mat
