What is light?

Light is energy from the sun or from a torch. It helps us see. In Kenya the sun is bright during the day.

What is a shadow?

A shadow is a dark shape made when an object stops light. The shadow looks like the object, but can be bigger or smaller.

Safe tip: Never look directly at the sun. Ask a grown-up to help.

Why do shadows change?

• When the sun is low (morning or late afternoon), shadows are long.
• When the sun is high (around midday), shadows are short.
• The shape of the object and where the light is make the shadow look different.

Materials you need

Chalk, paper, pencil, a stick or string, a toy, cardboard for puppets, and an adult helper.

Examples of materials and light

• Opaque (no light through): stone, tree trunk — makes a clear shadow.
• Transparent (light through): clean glass bottle — little or no shadow.
• Translucent (some light through): thin paper — fuzzy shadow.

Fun shadow activities (Kenyan schoolyard or at home)

1) Shadow tracing (outdoor)

Find a sunny spot in the schoolyard near a mango tree or fence. Put a toy or a stick on the ground. Trace the shadow with chalk.

1. At 9 a.m. trace the shadow. Write the time and date next to the drawing.
2. At 12 p.m. trace again. Is it shorter?
3. At 4 p.m. trace again. Is it longer?

2) Shadow puppet show (indoor or shaded classroom)

Make puppets from recycled cardboard. Use a torch (flashlight) to make shadows on a white wall or sheet. Ask a grown-up to help with cutting.

3) Shadow scavenger hunt

Walk around school or home. Find 5 different shadows. Draw or name each one (tree, window, car, child, roof).

4) Plant a tree for shade (environmental)

Planting trees like mango or neem gives shade. Shade helps to keep our homes and classrooms cool. It saves energy and helps the earth.

Mini experiment: Measure a shadow

Use a stick and a string. Put the stick straight into the ground. Measure how long the shadow is. Record the time and length. Try this at home in the morning, noon and afternoon.

Questions to think about

• Where is the sun when your shadow is longest?
• Can a shadow be a different shape than the object?
• How can trees help people in hot places like our village or town?

Remember: Always do outdoor experiments with a teacher or parent. Do not look at the sun.

Have fun watching shadows and helping our environment by planting trees and keeping the schoolyard clean!

Mini worksheet

1) Draw the shadow of your hand at 10 a.m. ________

2) Find one object that gives a long shadow: ____________________

3) How many trees could give shade to your house? _______