What children explored
How Light and Shadows Work
Children created shadow cutouts to explore their work. Through this activity, they explored how shadows are formed when light is blocked by an object. They observed that the size and shape of a shadow can change depending on the position of the light source.
As they designed and used their cutouts, they gained a better understanding of how light, objects, and shadows are interconnected. The session connected physical science to art, with children designing their own shadow theatre performances.
Activities from this theme
What children made and tested
Shadow Size and Distance
Children moved a light source closer to and further from an object, observing how the shadow changed. They recorded what happened and formed explanations for the patterns they observed.
Shadow Theatre
Children designed cutout figures and performed shadow puppet shows inside a light box. They explored how different positions and angles of the light source changed the look of their performance.
Gallery
From the session
The Book
Paired read-aloud
Blackout
A story about neighbours gathering on a rooftop after the power goes out. With a scientific lens, children were encouraged to investigate and explore the physical science of light, darkness, and visibility. They thought about how shadows change when artificial light disappears, and made connections between the science of shadow formation and the experience of seeing stars during a blackout.