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Below you will find a
compilation of activities to compliment the measurements
of the Sun Shadows Project: (Note: don't forget to remind
students not to look directly at the sun for any
activity.)
- Where's
My Shadow: Best performed before the
measurements or before the students develop a
complete understanding of what the measurements
show. It is a fun activity when played at
different times of the day.
- Solar
Dome: A brilliant activity to replicate the
path of the sun through the sky. I suggest doing
this activity around the equinox and again at the
solstice to demonstrate how the sun takes
different paths through the sky. The activity
suggests using the bottom of a plasic bottle for
a dome. Here in Pennsylvania, at least, plastic
bottles no longer have the dome under a removable
plastic base. This activity can probably be
created with a glass bowl and wax pencil.
- What's
Your Slant?: An idea to make hourly sun
shadow measurements in a permanent manner. Note
to Southern Hemisphere participants: This
activity has a Northern Hemisphere bias. Can you
determine what it is?
- Shadow
Re-Creations: Use the international data to
make a visible model of measured shadows.
- Graph
Shadow Data: Turn the numerical data of the
measurement tables into visual displays to help
in making conclusions. This activity is
especially useful when to compare and contrast
the three mearements (two equinoxes and
solstice).
- What
is an equinox?: Use the data from the
measurement table for either equinox to find out
what defines an equinox.
- Sun/Earth
Model: This is another activity that is great
to try after each set of measurements (September,
December, March). Use the data in the charts to
determine how the earth is oriented toward the
sun and what shadows would look like in locations
not represented in this project.
- What
Direction Does the Earth Rotate?: By fifth
grade most everyone knows that the Earth rotates
once daily. However, which direction does it
rotate?]
- What's
Your Angle? Use shadow data to find sun
angles. There is a special activity listed here
where you can actually figure out your latitude
at the equinox by calculating the angles of a
triangle!
- From
Shadows to Measuring Tall Buildings! Use your
shadow measuring talents to measure tall
buildings and other objects.
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