Explore shapes and shadows with Day 3 of our Seuss-tastic STEAM Challenge!
Book: The Shape of Me and Other Stuff
This Dr. Seuss book is fun and naturally lends itself investigate, explore and play with shadows.
I recommend going outside to observe and notice what you see about shadows. Give your children an opportunity to play with shadows before introducing a specific challenge.
STEAM Challenge #1: How big can you make a shadow from a small toy?
Adult Prep: Tape a large size sheet of paper on the wall.
Step 1: Explore shadows!
Pick a small toy (we used tiny dinosaurs) and experiment with a flashlight to create shadows.
What happens when you move the flashlight closer to the toy or you move the light further away?
Step 2: How big can you make the dinosaur (or toy) shadow?
We discovered that by placing the small toy on a block it helped lift the shadows up on the wall.
Work with a partner to trace your toy’s shadow onto a piece paper or to modify this skill mark the top and bottom of the dinosaur.
How tall is the dinosaur’s shadow? How does that compare to the size of the dinosaur toy?
Step 3: Add crayon, marker or paint to create a collaborative mural based on everyone’s shadow tracings.
STEAM Challenge #2: Can you create a colored shadow?
Adult Prep: Build a transparent canvas by taping a clear sheet protector to one side of an empty frame. Reinforce with tape on the inside of the frame.
Step 1: Use dry-erase markers to draw a design on the transparent canvas.
Step 2: Hold up your canvas in front of a wall and shine a flashlight on it. What happens when you move the light closer or farther away?
What other shadow designs can you make?
Additional STEAM Shadow Investigations:
Create your own superhero shadow signal!
China fans,really inspired by your explore,my son would love it!Thanks!