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Experiment with Light and Shadows with your Furry Friend the Groundhog 

to Celebrate his Special Day

  • Watch the videos to learn about groundhogs, light and shadows

  • Gather your craft supplies. 

  • Design your experiment. 

  • Test your and record your data.

  • Take photos and share to be featured.

Materials

  • cardboard and connectors (or tape/glue)
  • tape or glue gun
  • scissors 
  • markers or paint for decorating 
  • print the idea board, groundhog and ruler  
  • flashlight
  • optional - translucent materials 

Watch the video...

All about groundhogs and their special day:

Learn about light and shadows:

Optional opaque, transparent and translucent:

Get Ready for your Experiment

cardboard cube set up for 3duxdesign shadow activity

  1. Use your 3DuxDesign cardboard and connectors (or up-cycled shapes and tape or glue) to create a wintery scene diorama for your groundhog. Be sure to leave an area open on the front and top to shine your light from different angles.

cardboard cube set up for 3duxdesign shadow activity
2. Place your groundhog inside the wintery scene along with a ruler so he (and you) can measure his shadow.
cardboard cube set up for 3duxdesign shadow activity with flashlight
3. Shine your light from different angles. Take notes on the shadow length when the light is above, at an angle above and then at ground level. What do you notice?
cardboard cube set up for 3duxdesign shadow activity with groundhog paper character
4. As you shine the light from different angles, imagine the light as the sun and think about how the sun at different heights can affect the shadow. You can also test this with your own body outside at different times of the day (always with an adult).
cardboard cube set up for 3duxdesign shadow activity with wax paper for different effects
5. You can also try to shine the light through a translucent material (we used wax paper doubled up). What happens to the brightness of the groundhog? What happens to his shadow? Why do you think that is?
cardboard cube set up for 3duxdesign shadow activity
6. Is there a type of weather outside that might have a similar effect on light and shadows on earth? 
7. Now let's think back in time to February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, when "Phil" the groundhog saw his own shadow and returned to his burrow. What do you think the weather was on that day? 

Download idea board and ruler

draft paper download

Download templates

image of templates for groundhog activity to print

Need materials for this project?

3DuxDesign GoPack student STEM kit with unique connector system, cardboard building shapes, craft materials, circuits, and hands-on engineering supplies
$38.00
3DuxDesign GoBox classroom STEM kit featuring the unique 3DuxDesign connector system, cardboard building pieces, and student engineering models
$279.95
3DuxDesign iconic home kit for home play and learning. picture shows the kit with cardboard geometric forms and cardboard connectors layed out.
$24.95

To be featured, please submit high quality photos, detailed description of your project and/or a link to your own youtube video. If you have a great idea for a lesson and want to be a guest host, let us know.

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