What this lesson teaches
This activity explores how shadows form and change with light direction. Children will learn that the distance and angle of a light source affects the size and shape of the shadow created by objects.
Science in Action
Can you finish swaying shadows experiment in about 30 min?
Swaying Shadows Experiment
You will this activity explores how shadows form and change with light direction.
Duration30 min
Age GroupAges 11–12
DifficultyBeginner
SubjectScience
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What you need
How the activity runs
The learning connection
By physically manipulating light sources and objects, children experience embodied cognition, understanding concepts through interaction. Observing shadows shift as they change the light source reinforces the relationship between light and shadows in real-time, making the concept memorable.
Try it with your learner
1. Gather a flashlight, a small toy (like an action figure), and a large sheet of paper. 2. Set the paper vertically on a wall or the floor in a dimly lit room. 3. Turn on the flashlight and shine it at the toy from different angles. 4. Observe how the shadow changes size and shape depending on the light's position. 5. Draw the shadow shapes on the paper for each position of the flashlight. 6. Discuss with your family how the shadows changed — what did you notice?