NASA and LEGO Celebrated 50th Anniversary of Earth Day With "Build a Planet" Challenge

This iconic photo of Earth as seen by the Moon united a generation into appreciating the fragile beauty of our planet, and thousands would assemble over the years to protect our beautiful planet for future generations.
Today, COVID-19 might have separated us from each other, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate. NASA and LEGO announced a new "Build a Planet" challenge to celebrate the 50th annual Earth Day — thereby, helping families to celebrate this important day during lockdowns.
Earthlings, assemble! ?
— NASA (@NASA) April 22, 2020
We’ve teamed up with @LEGO_Group to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and we have a challenge for you: BUILD YOUR OWN PLANET! Share your creations using #LetsBuildTogether and #EarthDayAtHome so we can see your masterpieces! pic.twitter.com/PEg4ztxq0a
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As a reminder that space exploration is a vital component of appreciating and protecting our planet, NASA and LEGO shared images on social media of several planets assembled from the notorious toy bricks.
Every solar system needs a Sun! On top of providing heat & light, Earth is affected by the Sun’s magnetic activity, like the eruption depicted here! Understanding the Sun-Earth connection is one of the big reasons we study our star. #LetsBuildTogether #EarthDayAtHome @LEGO_Group pic.twitter.com/WoeBwrmBZh
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) April 22, 2020
This effort is the next stop of the #LetsBuildTogether challenges where LEGO promotes learning through playing at home.
For #EarthDayAtHome, some of our friends are joining in with @LEGO_Group’s #LetsBuildTogether challenge, with representations of our home planet ? and its place in space✨. pic.twitter.com/olYnAtMbFF
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) April 22, 2020
The companies encouraged the children and families to share their planetary LEGO creations online.
Here are some of our favorite creations that we thought deserved a mention!
1. Earth, Moon, and Sun who is wearing very stylish sunglasses
@NASAEarth @LEGO_Group here is my daughters planet challenge :) #LetsBuildTogether pic.twitter.com/48xvMTZxs2
— Renée Lane (@reneelane12) April 22, 2020
2. Dianne's rotating Sun and Earth
My LEGO Orrery in honor of Earth Day! #LetsBuildTogether #EarthDayAtHome #EarthDay50 pic.twitter.com/2MpDjY5cP2
— Dianne (@dws118) April 23, 2020
3. Our stunning Earth
#LetsBuildTogether pic.twitter.com/B2aWOV7bXw
— Stefan Holm (@scholm240) April 22, 2020
4. Not a planet, but worth a mention
— Artem.Kulykov (@ArtemKulykov) April 22, 2020
5. This exoplanet-look-alike
Created Glacio from @astroneergame, gates and wrecks included #LetsBuildTogether #EarthDay pic.twitter.com/uPFTA1gHes
— mike (@rangedtrooper) April 22, 2020
6. This amazing rainbow-road-planet
A beautiful place to be on this #EarthDayAtHome is “Rainbow Road,” created by Hank, 7, and Kate C., 5. #LetsBuildTogether pic.twitter.com/bZ6zbLOOri
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) April 22, 2020
7. Multicolored planet Cleo and Rocky the Rocket? Love it
@LEGO_Group Today our kids (4 + 6) discovered a new, multicolored planet: Cleo! It’s currently being visited by a rocket called Rocky the Rocket. #LetsBuildTogether #EarthDayAtHome pic.twitter.com/NF2Uvh5yuG
— Jackie (@verbaltangerine) April 22, 2020
8. A planet with impressive rings
Happy Earth Day! Such a great challenge #HappyEarthDay #LetsBuildTogether #EarthDayAtHome #creativity #LEGO pic.twitter.com/WdwWOh4iDJ
— ⅅεⓈℏℯé (@kristinadeshee) April 23, 2020
9. Kian's shallow lagoon next to a vegetated island
Six-year-old Kian made a @LEGO_Group shallow lagoon next to a heavily vegetated island for #EarthDayAtHome... #Landsat has been keeping watch over Earth’s landmasses and coastal waters since 1972! #LetsBuildTogether pic.twitter.com/Cq00ukxV7E
— NASA Landsat Program (@NASA_Landsat) April 22, 2020
Interesting Engineering interviewed two researchers who demonstrated that growing the grass miscanthus can completely decarbonize the aviation industry.