Shadow Re-creations

Objective: Use numerical data to recreate shadow measurements around the world.

 Materials: Chalk, directional compass, tape measure, globe/atlas/world map

 Procedure: 

  1. Using the compass and a piece of chalk, make a straight chalk line that points east and west. The line should be about 10 meters long.
  2. Using the tape measure and the data from the measurements, draw each shadow from the east/west line making sure to draw it in the correct direction (North or South).
  3. Label all the shadows with their location name, latitude measurement, and length of shadow.

 Investigative Questions: 

  1. Describe at least two differences you see between all the shadows measured.
  2. Make a list of all the shadows that point north and another list of all the shadows that point south.Find all the locations on a globe, map, or in an atlas. What do the locations with northern facing shadows have in common? What do all the locations with southern facing shadows have in common?
  3. Find the two shadows that are closest in length (regardless of direction).
  4. Describe any similarities and differences between these two locations using your maps.
  5. Find the two shadows that are most different in length (regardless of direction).
  6. Describe any similarities and differences between these two locations using your maps.
  7. Using the data, where on the earth would you predict a shadow of 0 cm?

 Example of drawing:

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