Shadow tracing activity
Activities & Resources for Outdoor Education
Shadow Tracing Activity
Activity | Grades 3 & up
This activity helps students understand the changing angle of sunlight throughout the day due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis. It provides a hands-on way to observe this natural process without requiring complex materials or procedures. You can download the printable instruction sheet here or follow along below.
Materials needed
- Large sheet of paper (or chalk if using the ground)
- Pencil or marker
- Stick or dowel
- Sunny day
Instructions
- On a sunny day, place the large sheet of paper on a flat outdoor surface where it will receive direct sunlight throughout the day.
- Choose a stick or dowel and firmly plant it vertically in the center of the paper.
- Throughout the day, trace the outline of the stick’s shadow every hour or so, starting from early morning until late afternoon.
- Label each tracing with the time it was made.
- After several tracings, observe how the length and direction of the shadow changes throughout the day.
- Discuss with participants how the changing angle of sunlight affects the length and direction of the shadow, relating it to the tilt of the Earth’s axis.
- Emphasize how this phenomenon contributes to the changing seasons and the occurrence of events like the Spring and Fall Equinox.
Acknowledgements
- We wanted to express our sincere gratitude to all of the hands, minds, and hearts whose publicly shared knowledge, teachings and contributions were a part of this learning resource.
- We always love to hear from you! Please send your creations to education@sierraclub.bc.ca
- We invite you to start with one thing, just one action to help build a brighter future for the lands, waters and all who call them home.
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Photo Credits: Mya Van Woudenberg