Lesson Plan
Light and Shadow Play on Groundhog Day
Explore groundhogs, light, and shadows through an engaging, hands-on investigation that encourages students to think outside the box. Students learn about the Groundhog Day legend using videos and worksheets, then design and conduct an experiment by building an LED light, creating a model, and measuring shadow lengths. They analyze their data to interpret the legend of Punxsutawney Phil and present their conclusions and theories to their peers.
Grades: K-5 Duration: 2 Class Periods Subjects: Earth Science, Light & Shadows, Math, Literacy Materials: GoBox Pro or GoBox
- Lesson Plan & Rubric
- Student Resources
- Educator Resources
- Materials
- Standards
- Share Your Project!
Student Introduction Video
All About Groundhogs and Their Special Day
Learn About Light and Shadows
Opaque, Transparent, and Translucent Objects
Circuit & Electricity Powerpoint Guide
Educator Tutorial 1: Groundhog Shadow Box
Educator Tutorial 2: LED Flashlight
Required Material
Optional Material
Optional Material
Enter 3DuxDesign’s first official Contest!
Get your engineers and scientists revved up for the 3DuxDesign Myth-Buster Contest. Teams use 3DuxDesign materials (or pick up our limited edition contest kit) with the Groundhog Day project and submit a presentation for a chance win! One team will be chosen to be featured on the 3DuxDesign Global Student Showcase. Each student from the winning team will also win a jumbo connector set.
The Rules
Teams can include up to 3 students, classes can have up to 8 submissions
Each team will do the project and create a presentation to debunk the Groundhog Day myth.
Submissions may include any combination of drawings, photos, written content, video, and more!
Projects will be judged on accuracy and creativity, while we LOVE cool technology and special effects, these will not be a factor in the judging process due to limited availability of resources in some schools.
Facilitators will submit project through the link in the project page by February 28th, 2023 11:59 pm.
Prizes can be shipped to US and Canada only.
Need Materials?
Submit Presentations Here
Don't want to join the contest but just want to share? We LOVE to brag about our 3DuxDesign Innovators!
Post your projects with us on social using the tag and hashtags @3duxdesign #3duxdesign
Groundhog Shadow Box Examples (Step by Step):
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.
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?