Fifth grade scientists at Trinity recently took their learning outside for a hands-on experiment led by science teacher Claire Maser. As part of their unit on the sun, students headed to the walking track early one sunny morning to observe how sunlight affects their shadows. Working in groups, they stood in a marked spot and used sidewalk chalk to trace the outline of each other’s shadows on the pavement.

Later that same day, Mrs. Maser brought the class back out to check on their chalk outlines. Students noted how much their shadows had shifted and changed shape in just a few hours. This prompted discussions about the position of the sun in the sky and how it influences the length and direction of shadows.

To deepen their investigation, the class returned to the track the next morning at a later time of day. Once again, they stood in the exact same locations as before, and their partners traced their shadows a second time using chalk. By comparing the different outlines, students could clearly see how the movement of the sun causes shadows to change. The experiment brought their science lesson to life and helped them better understand the relationship between the Earth, the sun, and light.

Sun and Shadows 2025