Virtual STEM for Kids: Light & Shadows
This guide supports virtual STEM programs for children ages 6-12.
Activity: Create a shadow puppet theater.
Recommended materials: cardboard, wax paper, glue/strong tape (such as masking tape), scissors, dark-colored construction paper, popsicle sticks/thin dowels, flashlight, pencil or white chalk (optional)
Light & Shadows
- ShadowWorld Book Student article
- Shifting ShadowsExplore how the position of the Sun in the sky affects shadows on Earth’s surface in this live-action video from PEEP and the Big Wide World.
- Shadow Smile! | Sid the Science KidVideo clips exploring shadows
Links
Digital Tools
- Flipgrid - STEM for KidsIf asked to enter a Join Code, type stemforkids
- Observing Shadows on EarthInteractive tool to see how shadows form when objects block the sun's light
- The Sun, the Sky, and a Whole Lotta Pie: Ruff Ruffman's Sun and Shadows GameInteractive game from PBS LearningMedia
- Shadow Shapes GameInteractive game from PEEP and the Big Wide World.
Tutorials
- Shadow Puppets in a Cereal Box TheaterInstructions presented by Kix cereal
- Making Shadow PuppetsActivity from Science Buddies
- Shadow Puppet ShowActivity from Peep and the Big Wide World
Recommended Books
Playing with Light and Shadows by Call Number: J 535 BOOTHROYISBN: 9781467739122Publication Date: 2014-08-01Young readers will learn how shadows are made with light in this accessible, photo-filled book. Simple text explains different kinds of shadows and teaches students how they can make their own shadows. Vibrant photos bring basic science concepts to life and encourage kids to explore the shadows they see every day.
Science Chapters: All about Light by Call Number: J 535 HALPERNISBN: 0792259424Publication Date: 2006-09-12Sunlight, animal light, artificial light, the speed of light; reflection, refraction, shadows, colors, wavelengths-all explained in a new and illuminating book.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.
Light by Call Number: J 535 HIGGINSISBN: 9781977109613Publication Date: 2019-08-01Let in the light! Introduce early readers preK-2 to light and how it plays a part in their everyday lives. Find out where light comes from, how we see it, and if it really bounces! Readers explore basic concepts of light through carefully leveled, engaging text and bold photographs reviewed by Smithsonian experts. Additional facts and graphic organizers such as charts and graphs provide more information about physics concepts.
Investigating Light by Call Number: J 535 WALKERISBN: 9780761357742Publication Date: 2011-08-01The sun, lightbulbs, and flickering fires all bring light to our world. But have you ever watched light rays moving? Or seen how light rays reflect off objects? Now you can! Explore light with the fun experiments you'll find in this book. As part of the Searchlight Books(tm) collection, this series sheds light on a key science question―How Does Energy Work? Hands-on experiments, interesting photos, and useful diagrams will help you find the answer!
Experiments with Light by Call Number: J 535.078 THOMASISBN: 9781410968371Publication Date: 2015-01-01Explore the world of light with engaging text, real life examples and fun step-by-step experiments. This book brings the science of light to life, explaining the concepts then getting kids to be hands-on scientists!
What Is a Shadow? by Call Number: J 535.4078 HOLDERNEISBN: 0761328211Publication Date: 2002-10-01Simple text and experiments illustrate the properties of light.
