Sun Shadows

Purpose: To understand that the length of a shadow is determined by the position of the Sun in the sky.

Key Concepts: A shadow always falls away from the light source. If the Sun is in the eastern sky, then the shadow falls west, if the Sun is in the western sky, the shadow falls east. The exact directions will vary as the Sun moves across the sky. The length of a shadow depends on the height of the Sun in the sky- the higher the Sun, the shorter the shadow, the lower in the Sun is in the sky, the longer the shadow.

Multiple Intelligence: Spatial

Materials:
meter sticks
chalk
data table

Glossary:
East
West
North
South
Shadow

Procedure:
1. Students will go outside on a clear and sunny day to make observations and collect data on their shadows.
2. Students will work in pairs to measure their shadows and record the length on the data table with meter sticks.
3. A student will stand still as the partner draws and measures the shadow and record the length and the direction.
4. Make observations and collect data at different times of the day for a week for all the different seasons and draw conclusions.

Questions to ask?
1. What do you know about shadows?
2. How are shadows made?
3. What observations can you make after collecting the data?

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