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10 Science Experiments for Kids to Learn about Sun

Today we share some cool science activities for kids to learn about the sun. Kids will learn about solar power, sunlight and invisible light, and how the earth is related to the sun. You may also interested in some interesting ideas of science activities for kids to learn about the moon .

Fun Science Experiments for Kids to Learn About The Sun

Simple activity to learn about day and night , and how earth rotate around the sun.

This light box looks so interesting. Kids will think it is magic. In the mean time, you can explain about the sun light.

Try rainbow bubbles , and learn about the why we can see so many colors through the bubbles.

Make a solar oven and create some crayon art. It is interesting to watch the crayons melt, and it is a good time to talk about solar energy.

This solar still will be a fun project. Ask kids what is happening and why? Make sure taste the water.

Another fun activity to explore solar power is this solar thermal project. Why do you need put it on top of the books?

Play with the shadow , and ask why the shadow moved from noon to afternoon?

Make a sun clock . Do you have to change the marks in different seasons?

This simple science activity helps kids learn more about invisible lights in the sun light, and why we need sun screen.

Create art work with UV Beads to further knowledge about UV light.

To learn more about the sun, you will find the app Solar Walk very interesting.

Next post: Pine Cone Science Experiments for Kids

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Sun Science Experiments for Kids | 15 Fun Ideas!

July 31, 2024 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Earlier this week, I shared with you how we made a DIY Solar Oven . The kids had so much fun seeing what they could cook in their oven, and the whole process was filled with lots of sun science learning, too! Today, I’m going to share with you more ways that you can learn about the sun, light, and heat with 15 Sun Science Experiments for Kids!

15 Sun Science Experiments for Kids

There are so many ways to learn with the sun! From learning about how color affects light absorption, to the effect heat has on air, how shadows move and change, and how we can stay safe from UV exposure. These 15 sun science experiments cover all of those topics—and more!—through fun, hands-on learning.

#1 What Absorbs More Heat – Black or White? by Lessons for Little Ones

This is a fun little experiment to find out whether color makes a difference in how much heat is absorbed. Kids can make their predictions, set up the experiment, and learn how different colors absorb light and emit heat differently. You could also try this experiment with a black crayon and a white crayon to visibly see the effect!

#2 Solar Powered Balloons by Naples Botanical Garden

If you completed the first experiment in this list, you’ll know that the black bottle will heat up more than the white bottle. As the black bottle warms up, so does the air inside the bottle. And when air heats up, it expands and floats upward!

#3 Solar Updraft Tower by Almost Unschoolers

In the last science experiment, we learned that hot air expands and floats upward. How can we use that knowledge to make a fan? With a solar updraft tower!

#4 Shadow Experiment by The First Grade Roundup

With just a piece of chalk and a partner, you can head outside and discover how the sun affects our shadows! Mark an X on the ground and have a partner trace your shadow in the morning. Now it’s prediction time! What will happen to your shadow if you stand in that same spot in the afternoon? Enjoy another activity while you wait (maybe you can build a solar oven!) then head back out in the afternoon to find out how your shadow changes.

#5 Follow a Shadow by Science Sparks

Another fun way to learn about shadows is with this simple “follow a shadow” activity! I love how they used a chalk pen to outline the toy’s shadow to make it nice and crisp. 

#6 Experiment with Shadows by Exploratorium

Now that you’ve learned a bit about shadows and how they move throughout the day, let’s experiment and play with making different types of shadows! Grab a variety of materials and let your kids experiment with how light makes different types of shadows. Can you make a colored shadow? Or combine two shadows to make some cool designs?

#7 Light Box Experiment by Lessons for Little Ones

Learn about light refraction with this simple experiment! Kids can experiment with changing the bottles and position of the box to see how it affects the (really cool) light show inside the box.

Turner, Joanna & Parisi, Alfio & Downs, Nathan & Lynch, Mark. (2014). From Ultraviolet to Prussian blue: A spectral response for the cyanotype process and a safe educational activity to explain UV exposure for all ages. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci.. 13. 10.1039/C4PP00166D.

#8 From Ultraviolet to Prussian Blue by Joanna Turner et al.

This link is for a complete research paper about how to use cyanotype paper to show kids the effects of UV exposure. We made cyanotype art prints using nature items as part of our Sun Science Family Unit Study, but you can also use sunscreen directly on the cyanotype paper! What a fascinating way to see how sunscreen blocks UV light and learn about sun safety while you’re at it.

Don’t have any cyanotype paper? You can perform a similar experiment with regular construction paper like in this blog post by Playdough to Plato .

#9 Revealing UV with Color-Changing Beads by Steve Spangler Science

Did you know that UV color-changing beads are a thing?! I didn’t until I saw this experiment! This is a great experiment to see how different sunscreens affect the color-changing beads and to see that color transformation in real time!

#10 The Colours of Sunset Explored by STEAM Powered Family

All you need is a smooth-sided glass container, water, milk, and a flashlight to find out once and for all why the sky is blue during the day but beautiful shades of orange and red during at sunset.

#11 Simple Light Experiments by Hands On As We Grow

Learn about concepts like reflection and absorption with this three-part science experiment from Hands On As We Grow.

#12 What Melts in the Sun? by Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Oh, muffin tray , what can’t you do? Simply grab that trusty muffin tray and have your little one fill it with a variety of objects—some that you think will melt, some that you don’t think will melt, and some that might be a surprise to everyone!

#13 Solar Floating Balloon by Becky Stern on Instructables

Can you make a balloon float with the sun? You sure can! All you need are some black garbage bags, tape, and a thin string. Watch the video above or check out the blog post to see how to make your very own floating solar balloon. So cool!

#14 How to Pop a Balloon Inside a Balloon Using Sun by TheDadLab

This is such a fun one that’s filled with lots of learning! You could time how long it takes for different colors of balloons to pop, then when the little ones think they have it all figured out, make a double-balloon and get ready to blow your kids’ minds! 

#15 Solar Heated Home Design STEM Challenge by Solar 4 Stem

With all of that fantastic sun science learning, it’s time to put it all together into a STEM Challenge! Challenge the kids to design a cardboard house so that it will stay as cool as possible. They can decide what color the inside and outside will be, how big the windows are, what they use for a window covering, and what direction they’ll face their house outside. Test out your cardboard houses by placing them in the sun with a thermometer inside and see how much the temperature changes in each!

Ready to dive into a hands-on unit study about the Sun?

My Sun Science Family Unit Study lays out everything for you, step-by-step, with 10 fascinating topics to explore. And the best part? It’s designed to work for children ages 4 to 12, so the whole family can learn together!

Check out a sample and grab your copy right here:  https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/family-unit-study-sun-science

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Children's Health Curriculum Lesson 4: Be Sun Smart

This lesson teaches kids about the sun and why plants, animals, and humans need it. It also explains how the sun can be harmful and ways to protect ourselves from it.

Kids Will Be Able To

• define sunscreen , sunburn , vitamin D , and ultraviolet (UV) light ;
• explain basic information about the sun;
• list three things that the sun provides which we need; and
• list three ways that they can protect themselves from too much sun.

How To Get This Lesson

• The complete lesson plan offers everything you need, including all visual materials.

Download the complete lesson plan

Lesson 4: Be Sun Smart

Download parts of the lesson plan

Instructor materials: Lesson Cards (PDF) (9 pp, 3 MB)

Handouts for students: Take Home Talk (PDF) (2 pp, 894 K)

Additional Resources

Instructor resources.

• AirNow: Air Quality Index Basics
• AirNow: For Students
• SunWise Downloads   - EPA's program transferred to the National Environmental Education Foundation - includes activities, posters and teacher background materials
• EPA: The Sun, UV, and You: A Guide to SunWise Behavior
• EPA: Action Steps for Sun Safety

Kids' Activities / Coloring Sheets

• EPA: SunWise Activity Book

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Sun as a star: science learning activities for afterschool.

Grade Levels

Grades K-4, Grades 5-8, Informal Education

Physical Science, Space Science, Waves, Light, Solar System and Planets, Sun

Educator Guides, Lesson Plans / Activities

The Sun As a Star activities teach concepts related to the sun with opportunities for the students to investigate each idea. Most of the nine sequential activities can be completed in about one hour.

Sun As a Star Educator Guide [357KB PDF file]

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Sun and Solar STEM Experiments for Kids

You may not think a whole lot about the sun most of the time, but you can do a lot more with sunlight than just get sunburn. There are all sorts of fun experiments you can do using the light and heat from the sun, and you can even use it to make electricity! Try out some solar-powered activities on the next sunny day and you could learn a lot about what the sun can do.

Solar Science Experiments for Kids

A board-certified teacher provides directions for three different experiments about sun tea, absorbing and reflecting heat, and converting light into heat.

Capturing the Sun’s Warmth

This website provides information and instructions on an experiment to test different materials to see which material will absorb more of the sun’s heat.

Solar Energy Word Search

Want to get introduced to some new science terms before you jump in and start learning? Check out this easy word search puzzle!

Energy Kids: Riddles

Nothing is better than a good giggle. Share these riddles with your friends so you can all learn something new together.

Make S’Mores With a Solar Oven

Who doesn’t love s’mores? Try making your very own s’mores with the sun as your energy source.

Inside a Solar Cell

Learn about what is inside a solar cell and why it creates electricity.

Solar Power 101: How Does Sunlight Turn Into Electricity?

Watch this video and learn all there is to know about how solar power works.

Solar Power Clicker

Upgrade your solar power grid to generate the most power.

Solar Energy Activity Workbook

Ask your parents to print out these activities for you. You can complete a crossword puzzle or even do a scavenger hunt!

Output of a Solar Cell

Here, you’ll find directions and a video demonstration for an experiment that tests how well solar cells create electricity.

Solar Energy Defenders

Fight off the vampires in this game by using what you know about solar energy to collect energy and keep the vampires out of your school dance!

The “Hot Enough to Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk” Trick

This is a classic experiment that everyone should try at least once! Try your hand at cooking an egg on the sidewalk on a hot day. Do you think it’ll work? Try it and find out!

Experiment on Solar Energy and Colors

Do you think different colors absorb more sun than others? Try this experiment and see which color melts the ice cubes fastest!

Facts About the Sun

Take a break, sit down, and do a quick worksheet to test your knowledge about the sun. You can complete this online or ask your parents to print it.

Solar Car Derby

You’ll find the procedure and a demonstration video to build a solar-powered derby car on this site. Work with your parents to build your own car and discover how solar cells work.

Solar Plane

Time to take flight! Work with your parents to follow the instructions on this website to create a solar-powered plane.

Solar Activities for Students

A few more activities to demonstrate how solar energy works can be found here.

Here, you will find instructions for how to create a sundial. A sundial lets you tell the time using the motion of the sun across the sky.

Make Sun Paper

Like crafts? Try this craft activity and see how similar you can make your paper sun look to the real thing!

Solar Energy Game

Play this game to see how well you understand solar energy.

Solar Cooker

Some experiments have different ways to complete them. Try this variation of the s’mores experiment as an excuse to make more solar s’mores!

Activities Involving Solar Energy

Here are a few more activities, one of which is testing to see if the sun can blow up a white or black balloon!

Solar Energy Activities

Need a new night light? Try making your own! Follow the instructions on this site to create your very own solar-powered night light.

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Contact one of our solar representatives today., (855) 282-1750.

Contact A Solar Representative To Learn More

• Residential Solar Blog
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• Meet the team
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• Check for skin cancer
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• Health professionals
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• Solariums & tanning
• SunSmart Global UV app
• Sunscreen calculator
• Shade comparison check
• Publications & posters
• Schools & early childhood
• Secondary schools
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• Learning experiences

These suggested planned experiences and learning opportunities can encompass aspects of all five Outcomes of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and national Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). They are provided as a possible starting point for educators. You may want to adapt these to build on and extend the knowledge, skills and interests of the children and complement the communities that children and families come from as well as the local community.

For further information please refer to Be SunSmart, Play SunSmart by Anne Stonehouse. It includes suggested play experiences to help encourage children to play the SunSmart way and incorporates concepts from the VEYLDF and EYLF.

Imaginative and dramatic play

Provide props that encourage imaginative play and can incorporate SunSmart measures for children to explore.

For example provide materials that suggest a picnic in the park or a day at the beach. Try to draw on recent group or family interests when choosing a scenario for exploration. Provide a small table covered in a plain cloth (green to represent a park perhaps) or a shallow sand tray set up to suggest a beach (or place the materials in the sand pit). Arrange some play materials such as small dolls with protective clothing and hats, some wooden blocks for construction of seats, shelter or a table. Use a real pot plant for shade, a square of real shade cloth, some small pieces of fabric for picnic mats or towels and a miniature tea set. Provide one or two chairs or cushions for the children.

Group experiences

Weather match game.

Provide a basket or box containing a selection of clothes appropriate to different weather – for example, a jacket, gumboots, mittens, sun hat, rashie, empty sunscreen bottle, sunglasses, raincoat and a woollen beanie. Invite children to discuss what clothes children might wear to protect their bodies in particular types of weather. Place the basket of clothes in the middle of the group and invite two children to play the game next to the basket. One child suggests the type of weather and the other puts on the appropriate clothing in response.

Trying on hats and sunglasses

Younger children are likely to enjoy opportunities to practise putting on hats and sunglasses of various designs. Have a mirror mounted on a child-sized dressing table or on a wall.

SunSmart hopscotch

Download the instructions for SunSmart hopscotch .

Construction

Search with the children for shady places to play outdoors, for example, under verandahs, trees, shade sails, and large umbrellas. Discuss how shady places feel – some are cooler, darker, warmer or lighter. Why are they important to protect us from the sun?

Suggest making a shady cubby from a selection of the materials listed below. Compare the different kinds of shade created by the materials and discuss which might be the most effective. Ensure that there is a range of accessible construction materials such as:

• outdoor blocks
• short lengths of timber 1–1.5m
• closely woven, dark-coloured fabrics (try old bedspreads or curtains from the op shop). Lace and other loosely woven fabrics let a lot of UV through so aren’t effective for shade
• moveable A-frames
• short climbing planks
• large cardboard boxes
• large sheets of cardboard or masonite up to 2m square
• bamboo or tea tree poles
• logs and pegs
• bulldog clips
• thick rubber bands or short lengths of rope for securing.

Literature can be simple board books, fun poems or rhymes, picture or storybooks, picture reference books, riddles or songs. It can also include posters, pictures from magazines and newspapers and digital images and text. When selecting children’s literature look for ways to promote awareness and discussion about SunSmart practices. See SunSmart’s suggested  Literature list which includes some suggested activities.

Jiggle Jaggle Hop

Written and narrated by Libby Gleeson. Illustrated by Dee Crichton.

With the generous support of The Lionel & Yvonne Spencer Trust, SunSmart has developed a new children’s book that focuses on the important role of clothing for sun protection.

Children love being active and outdoors creating exciting new adventures. To help the fun continue, it’s important to cover up from UV radiation which can be harmful when outdoors.

Jiggle Jaggle Hop is a positive, engaging, fun story that raises awareness about the best clothing choices to protect from UV. The story gives agency to children reinforcing the safe choices children can make as they enjoy the wonderful outdoors. Join Margot and Rory’s adventure as they learn from and teach big brother Ben about the best way to have great outdoor play.

Use these Jiggle Jaggle Hop resources to support your service community create safe SunSmart habits.

• Jiggle Jaggle Hop online digital version : please share this link with families so they can enjoy the story together at home and be reminded about the importance of covering clothing.
• Family note : this family note helps explain which clothing provides best skin cover when outdoors.
• Associated activities linked to Jiggle Jaggle Hop to help reinforce the story's key messages and learning concepts about clothing and UV.
• Jiggle Jaggle Hop PDF posters: help share the important UV protection message by downloading the posters

A simply spectacular hat

Written and Narrated by Libby Gleeson. Illustrated by Dee Texidor.

Getting ready to play outside has never been so much fun. Join Miss Fantabulous Fay as she reminds her marvellous monkeys to be SunSmart. See some suggested activities .

Bring in several different sunscreen bottles. Ask children to compare them. Talk about the symbols and text on them, including instructions on how and when sunscreen should be applied.

SunSmart information

Share a range of literature – posters and brochures – with children. Talking about the messages will not only increase their understanding but also help them to think more critically about text. Look at the various poster designs and the information in different languages .

Ask children to design a poster that communicates important messages about sun protection. It could include photos of the children to illustrate the messages.

Take pictures of children being SunSmart and helping each other with the various sun protection measures e.g. helping to apply sunscreen, picking up a hat when it has come off during play or grabbing a shirt to put over a singlet top before going outside and compile these into a SunSmart book for children to share and read together. Include these images in displays and family communication.

Singing games

A variety of singing games, for example, Punchinello, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, Here We Go Looby Loo, Did You Ever See a Lassie? can be adapted to reinforce SunSmart messages. Try being creative with the words of your favourite singing game or encourage children to come up with new lyrics. Here are a few songs you could try .

SunSmart mystery box

Download the instructions for the SunSmart mystery box.

Numeracy and science

Mathematical and geometric patterns and numbers are all around us. Think of the Fibonacci or ‘golden spiral’ we can see in the curve of sea shells and the geometric and number patterns in nature.

Explore the outdoor play space and the shapes of leaves, the patterns and sequencing in petals and plants, the angle of branches and the shapes and sizes of shadows at different times of the day.

Sun protection times

In sun protection the number 3 is very important. Whenever UV levels reach 3 or more, sun protection is recommended. The free SunSmart app and SunSmart widget show daily UV levels, sun protection times and weather information. The sun protection times are a forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology for the time of day UV levels are forecast to reach 3 or higher. At these levels, sun protection is recommended for all skin types. In Victoria, UV levels regularly reach 3 or higher from mid-August to the end of April.

For older children, engage them in checking the daily UV levels and sun protection times. Younger children can respond to the colour of the app. Just as with traffic lights, if the circle on the app is green, we are good to go and sun protection isn’t required. If it is orange, we need to be cautious and use sun protection.

Sid Seagull: colour by numbers

Download the Sid Seagull: colour by numbers activity sheet .

SunSmart number dress-ups

Download the SunSmart number dress-ups instructions .

SunSmart hand sun

Download the SunSmart hand sun instructions .

Manipulative play

• Provide table or floor puzzles depicting protective clothing, hats, skeletons, umbrellas, the seasons, outdoor scenarios or other images that offer opportunities for discussion about sun protection.
• Collect a number of empty, clean sunscreen bottles that may be reused in a variety of ways. This could include adding gravel or sand to make musical shakers, matching and sorting according to size, colour or shape. Use the bottles as skittles with a tennis ball, or add a magnifying glass for detailed exploration of the label. Talk with children about the contents of the label.
• Mount SunSmart images or their own SunSmart poster on card and laminate. Cut this into jigsaw pieces (sized according to skill of children in the group). Provide the jigsaw pieces in a basket on the floor. If children are unfamiliar with the poster, provide a copy for comparison and reference. Download the SunSmart jigsaw activity.
• Provide a basket of SunSmart dolls’ clothes and a doll to dress and undress with perhaps a large photograph nearby to indicate the type of scenario the doll is to be dressed for – for example a park, the beach, a playground, summer, or winter.
• Offer a felt board with felt shapes for dressing figures and creating beach or park scenes to depict SunSmart practices.
• Use photographs cut from magazines or photographs of children in the group mounted on card to develop a set of SunSmart sequencing cards. Photographs could include a clock, putting on a shirt, putting on a hat, applying sunscreen, putting on sunglasses or a shady place to play. While each child can interpret the appropriate sequence, the key point is to reinforce the main actions that need to occur before going outdoors to play.
• Don’t forget that simply putting on a hat and applying sunscreen requires considerable fine motor skills! Encourage children to apply it themselves always with supervision and help where needed.
• Provide a selection of different colours and weaves of fabric for collage experiences. Encourage children to hold them up to the light before pasting to check how much sun protection they might provide.
• Design and make SunSmart clothes to paste on a child’s own body tracing or dress a puppet or cardboard cut-out figure.
• Invite children to stuff their own sun hats with newspaper and then paint them with cloth paints. Alternatively, children could make SunSmart hats from reusable containers such as cardboard boxes or plastic ice cream containers.
• Make clay or dough people and have children place them in the sun for a day to observe the effect of the sun.
• Provide sewing equipment and fabric and encourage children to sew a hat or clothing.
• Provide an old umbrella (even just the frame) to decorate with paint and/or collage materials.
• Invite children to use transparent collage materials such as cellophane or plastic to make creative stained glass windows or decorations. Watch how the sunlight comes through.
• Provide reflective materials such as foil and shiny paper to encourage experimentation with, and discussion about, reflection.
• Encourage experimentation with powder paint colour mixing to explore the range of skin pigmentation or perhaps the greens of shady trees.
• Download the SunSmart digging/SunSmart card swap activity.

Discovery play

One of the best ways to help children appreciate the sun’s importance is through starting and maintaining a garden and/or growing pot plants.

Provide a selection of reflective surfaces to explore such as a shiny tin lid, a hand mirror, a piece of foil, a cake tin or a dish of water. Add a torch or place the experience near a window and encourage children to observe how the light is reflected. Support these observations with reference to the reflection of the sun’s UV outdoors from sand, snow and ice, paved areas or water and the need for sunscreen to protect the skin from reflected sun.

Try tracing around shadows with chalk or rope and return later in the day to note how the shadow has changed in size and shape.

Provide a magnifying glass to explore skin up close. Ask questions such as ‘What can you see?’. Use photographs of people to observe different skin tones and how skin changes with age. Ask questions such as ‘Why do we have skin?’, ‘How does it protect us?’, ‘How can the skin be damaged?’. If appropriate, extend the discussion of skin to include other animals and their body coverings.

Trees provide shade for play outdoors, so planting and caring for trees is important. Invite children to identify the shade trees in the outdoor play area and consider how much shade they provide. Try planting some future shade together!

• SunSmart shade tree
• Shady leaf outlines

Before heading outdoors at Dame Nellie Melba Kindergarten they ask children to sit in a circle, then pump sunscreen onto their hands; children put dots of sunscreen on their faces and then rub it in; turning to each other to see if it’s all rubbed in. They then play circle games for 20 minutes to give the sunscreen time to bind to the skin.

Sunscreen pumps

Small plastic pumps similar to the pumps used for larger sunscreen bottles can be used for water play. Children can explore how the pump works with water in a trough and develop the fine motor skill necessary to work the pump.

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A social script is a document that uses storytelling techniques to explain new experiences and environments to autistic people through simple language and images. View SunSmart's sun protection social script ideas.

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Sun Science Experiments & Book Suggestions

The end of the school year signals the beginning of summer for many students.  This is the perfect time of year to teach about the sun and have some “fun in the sun” performing learning activities outdoors! These hands-on activities are perfect for keeping young students engaged and learning those last few days/weeks of school. They can also be used with children at home during the summer months or during summer camp programs.

Begin with a brief explanation of the sun. Explain that the sun is actually a very big star in the center of our solar system.  It is the closest star to the earth and is 109 times larger than the earth.  Two suggested books to read are:

The Sun: Our Nearest Star

The Sun Is My Favorite Star

Here are 10 simple and fun science experiments that help children learn about the sun through hands-on explorations.

Sun versus Shade Experiment

This is a simple experiment that demonstrates the sun’s heat as well as the difference between sun and shade. It helps young children understand that the sun radiates heat and can makes things hot.

Place a variety of metal objects and a piece of a chocolate bar on each metal baking sheet.

Tell students that you are going to place one of the baking sheets in the shade and one in the sun. Ask them to make predictions about what may happen to the objects.

Go outside and place one of the baking sheets in a shady area and the other one in a sunny area.  Leave them for an hour or two depending on the outdoor temperature. You want the objects in the sun to be warm to the touch but not scalding hot.

Observe and allow students to feel them after several hours (check the objects first before students touch them as they may be too hot to touch at first). Discuss what happened and why.  Lead them to understand that the objects in the sun were warmer because the sun radiates heat which makes things warm.

I like to have students record their observations on recording pages.  Since getting iPads, we were able to insert actual photos of the items using Pic Collage (Pic EDU). I like how using the iPads to record observations helps students to learn how to use technology as a tool.

What Absorbs More Heat – Black or White?

Since students learned in the previous experiment that the sun gives us heat and makes things warm/hot, I like to challenge them with the question of whether they think black paper will absorb more heat/become hotter than white paper and why.  I then have them record their predictions.

To discover the answer to the question, fill 2 jars or containers with equal amounts of water that is the same temperature. Wrap one jar with black paper and one jar with white paper. Place the black one on a piece of black construction paper and the white one on a piece of white construction paper and put them in the sun for several hours.

You can also do an additional experiment with a black crayon and a white crayon.

After several hours, use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water in each container.  The water in the black container should measure warmer than the white.  If the water in the black container is not too hot, students can also feel each one.

Observe the crayons after several hours. You should observe that the black crayon melted more than the white.

Light energy from the sun can be converted to heat energy. The black paper absorbs more heat (light energy) from the sun because it does not reflect light like the white paper.

After discussing the results students can draw and/or write their observations or if they are using technology, they can insert actual photos of the results (we like to use Pic Collage).

The Sun Dries Water Experiment

This experiment helps students understand that the sun dries up water and introduces evaporation.

Tell students that they are going to go outside and paint with water. Ask if they think their paintings will last all day. After concluding that the heat from the sun will dry their paintings, have them estimate how long they think it will take for the sun to dry up their paintings and have them write it down.

Take students outside and allow them to paint the sidewalk, playground area, etc, with water. After they paint one picture or word or after they have painted for a set period of time, set a timer and see how long it takes for their paintings to dry. Drying times will vary depending on the outdoor temperature.

I have found that young students love doing this activity and it can keep them busy for hours. They love using “grown up” paint rollers and brushes, paint trays, etc. to paint just about anything outside (the ground, the playground equipment, the building, the fence, etc.). It is great gross motor skill practice! They can paint sight words, letters, numbers, shapes, etc. as well for extra skill practice.

You can also have students paint in both the sun and the shade and predict drying times for each.

To better demonstrate water evaporation, paint a piece of construction paper with water and then seal it inside a Ziploc bag with enough air inside so the top of the bag doesn’t touch the paper.  Place it in a sunny area (certain colors of construction paper can bleed when wet, place the baggie on a cookie sheet or newspaper if desired).  Observe the baggie after the water starts to dry and condense on the baggie. Lead students to understand that the water from the paper evaporated and turned to water vapor which was trapped in the bag and condensed on the top as water droplets.

I like to have students record their results and what they learned. When teaching pre-k students, I had them draw what they painted since it was hard for them to write all they had learned. Then, we would upload a collage of photos from Pic Collage to their Seesaw journals and they could use the Record tool to tell what they learned which was much easier for them.

Solar Oven Science Experiment

A favorite of students and myself!!

This experiment demonstrates solar energy and shows students how to trap the sun’s natural heat to make an oven.

You can choose to make one solar oven or several depending on how many snacks you wish to bake and how many students you have in the class.

This resource explains how to make s’mores in the solar oven. However, you can also melt cheese onto nacho chips if preferred.

Remove any paper liners that may be inside the pizza box.

Using the ruler and marker, measure in 1 inch from each edge of the pizza box lid except the side with the hinge.

Using the utility knife, cut all the way through the lid on those three sides of the square. Then fold the flap back slightly along the hinge side.

Put some glue on the inside of the flap. Glue a piece of aluminum foil on the inside of the flap keeping it as smooth as possible. Fold the extra foil over the edges to help hold the foil in place. Smooth it out. This will reflect sunlight into the oven.

Open the lid and cover the opening in the lid with plastic wrap. Pull the plastic wrap taut and tape it to the box on all the edges. Make sure there are no holes in the plastic wrap and that it is completely sealed. It is important to have a tight seal. This “window” helps keep the sun’s heat in the box.

Close the lid and cover the top side of the opening with plastic wrap. Pull the plastic wrap taut and tape it to the box on all 3 sides. Make sure there are no holes in the plastic wrap and that it is completely sealed. It is important to have a tight seal. Having an airtight seal is important in keeping the oven hot.

Glue a layer of aluminum foil in the bottom of the pizza box for insulation.

Cover the foil with pieces of black construction paper and glue them in place. The black paper will absorb light and generate more heat inside the box.

Place the s’mores snacks on the black paper. Make sure they are directly below the plastic wrap window.

On a bright, sunny day place the solar oven outside in direct sunlight. Adjust the foil flap to find the best angle for reflection.  Use a ruler or stick to keep the flap propped up in place.

Leave the solar oven in the sun for anywhere from a half hour to up to 2 hours depending on the outdoor temperature and how direct the sunlight. Check on the s’mores every 15 minutes to half hour. Allow students to observe the effect of the sun on the chocolate and marshmallows. When the chocolate and marshmallows are melted they are ready to eat.

While students are waiting for their solar s’mores, I have them draw the snack in the solar oven on a recording page and write what they think will happen.

We also discuss how the solar oven works.

The solar oven uses solar energy (light and heat from the sun) to cook food. The foil reflects the sun’s light into the box. The plastic wrap “window” works similar to a greenhouse. It allows the reflected and direct sunlight into the box while retaining the heat inside. The black paper absorbs the sunlight making it warm which heats the food on top of it. All of this allows the solar oven to absorb more heat than it releases.

After enjoying our delicious solar s’mores snack, I have students record what actually happened and what they learned. We also upload an actual photo of the solar oven to our Seesaw journals and then each student uses the Record and/or Draw tools to talk about it and what they learned.

Sun Prints Science Experiment

This experiment demonstrates that the light from the sun can cause chemical changes.

You don’t have to buy the special paper for this experiment, all you need is cheap construction paper that is NOT fade resistant (the cheaper the better).

Take students outdoors to a sunny area. Give each student a piece of construction paper and allow them to arrange some magnetic letters on it. They can spell their names, sight words, or just place random letters on their papers.

If magnetic letters are not available you can use any objects or toys that will block the sunlight such as blocks, Legos, Unifix Cubes, or objects from nature such as rocks, sticks, leaves (if using leaves use tape or sticky tack to attach the leaves to the paper because they will curl in the heat).

Tell students you are going to leave their papers in the sun for several hours. Go back inside and have students predict what they think will happen to the paper around the letters (the part of the paper exposed to the sun).  I like to have students record their predictions.

Go back outside after several hours, remove the magnetic letters or objects from the paper, and observe the results.  The paper should be lighter in color resulting in sun prints of the objects.

Ask children why they think the paper underneath the objects is a different color than the uncovered parts. Explain that not only does the sun make things warm, but it also can cause chemical changes. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can break down the chemical bonds in the paper and thus fade the color causing a bleaching effect.

Afterwards I like to have students draw and write what actually happened or upload an actual photo in Pic Collage.

We have also “app smashed” and created before and after collage in Pic Collage and then uploaded them to Seesaw. Once in Seesaw, students used the Record tool to tell their observations.

Why Do We Need Sunscreen? Sun Science Experiment

This experiment helps students understand the importance of wearing sunscreen when outdoors and gives them a good visual of the damaging effects of the sun.

You can choose to let each student make their own experiment or just make one for the class to observe.

Before beginning, ask the students why we should wear sunscreen when outdoors (to protect our skin from the sun).

Tell them that you are going to do a science experiment that helps show the importance of wearing sunscreen.

Fold a dark piece of construction paper in half and write “With Sunscreen” on one half and “Without Sunscreen” on the other half. Rub a SMALL amount of sunscreen on the “With Sunscreen” side. You want the sunscreen to absorb into the paper so don’t use a large amount.

Place the papers outside in the sun for several hours.

Have students predict what they think will happen to the paper without sunscreen. I created a simple recording page for them to circle their predictions.

Go outside after several hours and observe the changes to the paper. The paper without sunscreen will be faded or bleached. Any area with sunscreen should have stayed protected and be darker.

The sun’s ultra violet (UV) rays (UVA & UVB) can damage our skin. The ingredients in sunscreen protect our skin from these harmful UV rays.  The chemical ingredients in the sunscreen on the paper absorbed the UV radiation from the sun and prevented them from fading/bleaching the paper.

After discussing the results I check students’ understanding by having them draw what actually happened (or upload an actual photo if using Pic Collage) and then writing why we should use sunscreen.

Light Box Experiment

Another favorite! You will be amazed by the results of this simple experiment!

This experiment demonstrates and introduces refraction of sunlight.

This experiment works best on a very bright, sunny day.

Get 4 bottles with water. Leave one clear and place a few drops of food coloring in the others.

Tape a large box shut. Trace the bottom of one of the water bottles twice on the top of the box and cut out. Cover with foil to help reflect sunlight.

Cut a small viewing hole in one side of the box. Place it in a bright, sunny area and place 2 water bottles in the holes.

Have students take turns looking inside. They will be able to view a light show!

Depending on the angle of the sun, the lights will show on the sides of the box or if the sun is high in the sky the lights will show all through the box.  Allow students to experiment with changing the bottles and position of the box to see how it affects the lights inside.

After students have had time to view the lights and experiment with the light box discuss their observations and use the information below to explain refraction.

When the sunlight hits the water in the bottle, it bends in all directions. The light is going from the air to the water. Water is more dense than air, so it causes the light to slow down and change direction. The water makes the light spread out in the box. This is called refraction.

Check students’ understanding by having them draw and write what they observed and learned or upload actual photos in Pic Collage.

Making Shadows

This experiment helps children understand what is needed to make a shadow and that the sun acts as a light source for shadows.

Dim the lights.  Hold up an object.  Use a flashlight, a flashlight app, or a spotlight to shine light on the object so the shadow can be seen on a wall.

Turn off the flashlight.  Turn the flashlight back on.  Ask the students what is needed to see the object’s shadow?  (light source)  What shape is the shadow?  Does the light shine through the object?  Explain that the object blocks the light which makes a dark spot or shadow.  Turn and move the object or your hand and ask students what happens to the shadow (it moves too).

For an added challenge, show some clear or translucent objects such as tissue paper, plastic containers, wax paper.  Ask students how these shadows look different than the solid object’s shadow or your hand (they are not as distinct).  Remind them that a shadow is an object that blocks light. See if they can draw conclusions as to why the clear objects’ shadows were not as distinct (they do not block as much light, some of the light shines through).

Allow students to make shadows on the wall using their bodies or objects.  Ask them how they can make the shadow bigger and smaller (move closer to the light to make the shadow bigger, move farther away from the light to make the shadow smaller).

I like to have students complete these exit tickets for the experiments.

Head outside on a sunny day to look for shadows. Prior to going outside, ask students if they think they will see any shadows and why.

Explain that when you are outside, the sun is the light source that creates shadows.

Go on a “shadow hunt” and observe the shadows of trees, buildings, cars, etc.  Observe whether an object’s or person’s shadow moves if it moves and if its shape resembles the shape of the object or person.

Optional: Take photos of the shadows the students find.

We create collages of the shadow pictures using Pic Collage and then upload them to Seesaw where students talk about our shadow hunt.

I also do a quick check of students’ understanding of shadows and their shapes with this shadow matching activity page.

Paper Plate Sundial Experiment

In this experiment each student makes their own sundial from a paper plate, play dough or clay, and a pencil.

Allow students to decorate their paper plate with warm colors (orange, red, yellow) of paint, markers, or crayons.

After the paint dries, have students press a ball of play dough or clay in the center of their plates and then stick a pencil in the play dough or clay to resemble a sundial.

Take the sundials outside and place them in a sunny area (choose an area that stays sunny throughout the time period that you will be checking the sundials. You don’t want any shadows cast on the sundials during the experiment).

If it is breezy or windy, place a few rocks on the sundials to keep them in place.  It is important that they do not move during the observation period.

Have students draw a line on the paper plate where the shadow from the pencil falls and write the time of day.

Come back out in one hour or 2 hour intervals to observe and record the length and position of the shadow and observe the sun’s position in the sky.  Students can also make predictions as to where they think the shadow will be each time.

Optional: During the early morning and late afternoon hours when the sun is low in the sky, the shadow will be longer and not fit on the plate.

You can make a larger sundial using a piece of poster board or cardboard to better demonstrate how the sun’s position affects a shadow’s length. Insert a pencil or straw into a ball of clay or play dough and attach it to the sheet of poster board or cardboard.  Trace the shadows at each interval.

Ask questions to help students draw conclusions as to what they observed (the sun’s position in the sky affects a shadow’s length and position, it is longer when the sun is low in the sky, shorter when the sun is high in the sky, the paper plate looks similar to a clock).

What did you observe about the shadow and the sun? Did the sun change position? Which direction did your shadow move? When was the shadow the longest? The shortest? Why did the shadow change?

Explain that before clocks were invented, people had to rely on the position of the sun throughout the day to tell time. One of the earliest devices for telling time was the sundial. A sundial works by casting a shadow in different positions, at different times of the day. The angle of the light (sun) affects the size of the shadow. The sun is highest in the sky at midday and casts a short shadow. In the morning and afternoon, when the sun is lower in the sky, the shadow is longer.

A sundial has a pole, or gnomon, in its center and markings that tell the time like a clock. When the sun shines on the gnomon, shadows are cast at different markings on the sundial. People were able to tell the time based on the particular mark of time on which the sun’s shadow fell.

Check students’ understanding by having them draw and write what they observed and learned or use Pic Collage.

Human Sundial Sun Experiment

In this experiment each student acts as the center point or gnomon of the sundial.

Divide students in pairs – each student will need to work with a partner (they will trace each other’s shadows).

Find a large area that stays sunny for a majority of the day (or at least 4 hours) and has a surface that can be written on with sidewalk chalk (the basketball court, sidewalk, etc.).  It has to have enough area for students to spread out (if they are too close to one another their shadows will overlap).

It is important that students stand in the same place and face the same direction for each observation and shadow tracing. Once each pair of students has found an area, have them draw an X with the sidewalk chalk to mark where each of them will stand.  Make sure they are far enough apart from one another to allow room for their shadows as the shadows will move throughout the experiment.

Have each pair of students take turns tracing one another’s shadows with the sidewalk chalk. (one stands on the X while the other traces the outline of their shadow).

Repeat the shadow tracings every hour.  Remind students to stand on the X facing the same direction each time. You can do as many tracings as your schedule allows. At least 3-4 should be sufficient for students to notice the changes in their shadows’ sizes and positions.

I like to have students record each observation and then after doing several tracings have them predict where they think their shadow will be during the next tracing.

I also have them record what time of day their shadow was longest and shortest and draw conclusions.

If you would like to use the printable recording pages with your students plus get more detailed step by step directions with photos for easy set-up as well as additional technology integration ideas CLICK HERE to download my Sun Science Experiments & STEM resource .

Have engaging science experiments and stem activities throughout the entire school year with this money-saving science & stem bundle .

Book Suggestions:

Wake Up, Sun! 

What the Sun Sees

Sun Up, Sun Down

You may also like:

Sand science experiments, sand art projects, & book suggestions.

Hi! Thanks for stopping by!

I’m Tina and I’ve taught preK and K for 20+ years. I share fun and creative ideas that spark your students’ love for learning. 

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7 Sun-Science Experiments to Make Your Day

These long summer days call for kiddie pools and ice cream, but they also call out for kids science! Solar science, to be exact. The following easy science experiments for kids will help them look at the sun in a whole new light. Scroll down to get going.

1. S'more Solar Oven

Harness the power of the sun to make your favorite campfire treat! With just a few common household items you can create an  eco-friendly oven  just for melting marshmallows and chocolate, plus you can teach kids about the power of the sun. Click  here  to learn how.

2. Solar Viewing Camera

Peer at the sun safely with a  DIY pinhole camera  as the perfect viewing tool. You can also use it to teach the kiddos about the basics of how a camera lens works. For an easy step-by-step that takes less than 30 minutes to create, click  here .

3. Melting Rates

Different colors have different heat absorbing capacities. Black has the greatest heat absorbing capacity, which results in ice melting quicker than on white, which reflects the most light. Learn how to observe and report on which colors affect ice’s melting rates  here , on Green Planet Solar Energy. Get more sidewalk science ideas  here .

4. DIY Sundial

Unravel the mysteries of time. Or at least figure out the basics by  setting up a sundial  outside. Take time each hour to check the sun’s positioning and make note of it so your sidekick can see the bigger picture. Try variations like  this one with paper and clay or use rocks and shadow to make a human sundial!

5. Make Your Own Raisins

Grapes are made up of lots of water. The heat from the sun causes the water to evaporate from the grapes, and it also caramelizes the sugar in a grape, making it sweeter. Get your recipe  here  on Planet Science.

6. Make Sun Tea

Believe it or not, making a batch of sun tea is an excellent lesson in the power of sunshine. It’s a lesson in heat—seeing how long it takes the water to heat enough to really diffuse the tea bags or fresh herbs—and it teaches kids about currents as the water heats up, something you can view as the tea begins to diffuse into the clear water. Don’t shake or stir, just let nature take its course.

7. Shadow Drawing

Set up toys on paper and let the kids draw once the shadows hit. Try drawing at different times of day and experiment with the angle of the sun and the shadows it creates as you track its journey across the sky. You can draw right on the sidewalk with chalk, too. Pick toys with distinctive outlines.

—Amber Guetebier

RELATED STORIES 

Classic Science Experiments for Kids 

Edible Science Experiments Worth a Taste-Test 

Gross-but-Cool Science Experiments for Kids 

Easy Science Experiments for Kids That Use Water

Science Experiments About Floating & Density

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Sunscreen Science for Kids

If there is one thing my kiddos (and I) don’t like about summer, it’s having to slather on sunscreen. But after this low-prep, super simple kids’ science experiment showed us just how important sunscreen actually is, none of us are complaining about the inconvenience.

It was a good lesson learned in more than one way!  For more science fun, check out our amazing 30 Science Experiments kids will beg to repeat in our shop!

Getting Ready

The prep for this kids’ science experiment couldn’t be easier.  I grabbed a piece of dark construction paper (black, blue, or purple) for each child, a writing utensil and sunscreen.  (Use sunscreen that goes on clear. We initially used a zinc oxide sunscreen and it was too thick and we couldn’t see the results.)

Then, I drew a line down the middle of the paper and labeled one side “sunscreen” and the other “no sunscreen.”  Ta da, it’s as easy as that.

Before starting the kids’ science experiment, I asked my 3 and 5 year-old why we wear sunscreen.  My 5 year-old shouted, “To protect us from the sun!”  “Exactly, now lets see if we can see that,” I replied.  I grabbed a bottle of spray on sunscreen and covered my kids hands with a thin layer.  I had them make a sunscreen handprint on the side of the paper labeled “sunscreen.”

Sunscreen Kids’ Science Experiment

Next, we headed outside to find a spot where the paper would get full sun and left it there while we played.

Initially, the paper looked wet from the oils but it eventually absorbed over time and the handprint almost disappeared.  There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, so after a couple hours, we could already see the paper had become lighter.  We left it for another couple hours before bringing the papers in to see what damage the sun had done.  We went out to go check on our kids’ science experiment.

The paper had become pretty sun bleached but the paper under the sunscreen handprints remained the original color.  The sunscreen really did protect the paper from becoming bleached.  My kiddos were pretty amazed!

The Science Behind It

The sun emits 3 types of ultra violet (UV) radiation.  Two types, UVA and UVB, can damage skin.  Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients to protect skin from these harmful UV rays emitted by the sun.

Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide provide a physical barrier and work by reflecting or scattering ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone work by absorbing UV radiation and dissipating it as heat. Some organic chemicals don’t break down when exposed to UV light but others do slowly break down over time.  That’s one reason why we have to reapply after a long time in the sun.

When we applied sunscreen to the paper, the chemicals in the sunscreen absorbed the UV radiation and prevented them from bleaching the paper.

More Science Fun

Ready for more amazing science!? Grab our 30 Science Experiments in our shop to keep the fun going for your little scientist!

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This is a great experiment! I love your blog and particularly appreciate the scientific explanations!

We are trying this today, thank you!

Wonderful! We’d love to hear how it goes ? Warmly, Ashley // Happiness Ambassador

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Sun versus Shade Experiment

Guest blogger Carol Shen, is a stay at home mom of two, creator of the blog, Blueberry Mom and serves on the Board of Directors of The Reading Connection. She'll be sharing her kids' learning adventures on Start with a Book inspired topics like gardening, the night sky, If I were President, and other ideas she and her kids are excited to explore.

August 22, 2016

We live in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and it’s been hot. Really hot. And based on the weather reports we’ve seen this summer, much of this country has experienced at least one, if not many heat waves already. Addie and I have been reading about the topic of weather , and she was curious about how hot things can get under the sun.

We decided to do a quick and easy science experiment to test the difference in the temperatures of objects sitting under the sun versus being in the shade using an infrared thermometer. If you’re wondering what an infrared thermometer is, you’re not alone. My husband introduced me to it for the first time as we were brainstorming how best to approach this experiment. Think of it as a laser gun that measures the temperature of anything you point it at.

What you’ll need

• Infrared thermometer. I ordered mine off Amazon for $12, a Nubee infrared thermometer. You can also find them at Home Depot or your local hardware store.
• Pencil and paper
• Kid’s hat with UV protection
• Black shoulder bag
• Cup with water

Let's get started

• We happened to have two of each of the objects mentioned above, and put one set on our driveway in the sun, and one set on our front porch in the shade.
• We waited five minutes before Addie used the infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of the black shoulder bag, hat, cup with water and sunglasses.
• Using my phone, we checked the temperature at that time; it was 92 degrees.

Observations

As you can see in the results, there was a huge difference in the temperature of the objects in the sun versus the shade! Addie’s hypothesis was that the objects in the sun would be hotter, but neither of us expected to see such a big difference in the temperatures. This explains why it’s so important to heed the warnings of meteorologists to stay indoors during heat waves.

Addie had a lot of fun using the infrared thermometer. It’s easy to use, and is also a fun tool to help kids learn their numbers and read decimal points. You can even use it to measure the temperature of your skin, hair, etc.

At one point Addie wanted to point the thermometer at the sun. It was a good opportunity to teach her that you never want to look directly at the sun.

• Seymour Simon has written a large number of nonfiction books about weather, including Weather , The Sun , Hurricanes , Tornadoes and Lightning . As always, we try to bring my four year old into reading, talking and exploring with us, and I Face the Wind by Vicki Cobb is a good one for kids ages 4-9.
• If you want to explore science together with your child, check out Start with a Book’s Think Like an Inventor . Numbers and Measuring often come into play when it comes to science, as it did for us in our sun versus shade experiment. There are also the Summer Science resources to explore.
• An infrared thermometer can come in quite handy when cooking with your child. Explore Start with a Book’s What’s Cooking and have fun being able to measure anything you beam your infrared thermometer at.

Given the data we saw using our infrared thermometer, stay cool this summer in the shade. It’s hot out there!

All the very best, Carol

Related Topics: 

• Cooking and Food
• Inventions and Inventors
• Math and Measuring

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Science Fun

Make A Simple Sundial Easy Science Experiment

In this fun and easy science experiment for kids, we’re going to make a simple sundial.

Instructions:

• Find a sunny location and push the stick into the ground.
• At the hour mark, place a stone on the shadow and record the time on your paper.
• Continue this for each hour throughout the day.
• You now have a calibrated sundial.

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How it Works:

Calibration means to mark your instrument (sundial) with a standard scale of readings. The watch is used to indicate the standard scale we are hoping to establish with the sundial. As the sun cats a shadow from the pencil, the watch indicates the hour and the stone is used to mark the hour to create the calibrated sundial. 

Make This A Science Project:

Build your sundial and test it at different times of the year to see if the shadow still aligns with the stone markers and remains calibrated. 

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