Science Experiment - Shadow Play

We had a great science class at The Learning Garden yesterday! We discovered how light travels in straight lines with this simple and fun experiment. The children who were here ranged in age from 3 to 8 and they all seemed to love it! Give it a try!

Materials you will need:
Scissors
Tape
Paper
Popsicle stick
Flashlight
Pencil

What you do:
1. Draw a medium to large size shape on the paper and cut out.
2. Use tape to secure shape to the end of a popsicle stick.
3. Turn off the lights and turn on the flashlight.
4. Hold shape near a wall and shine a flashlight on the shape.
5. Experiment with where you hold the flashlight and the distance of the shape from the wall.

Discuss:
1. The shadow is cast on the wall because the the shape blocks the rays of light from reaching the wall.
2. The shadow casts the same shape as the shape of the paper because light travels in straight lines through air.
3. Why does your body cast a shadow outside on a sunny day?

Have fun!