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
- 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.
2. Place your groundhog inside the wintery scene along with a ruler so he (and you) can measure his shadow.
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?
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).
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?
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
Download templates
Need materials for this project?
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.