Why Do Shadows Dance? Summer Science Fun for Kids! ☀️

Hi, parents!

Summer is here, and with it comes endless opportunities for scientific discovery right in your backyard! The longer days and warmer weather create the perfect natural laboratory for curious young minds. This week, we're exploring the fascinating world of shadows, sun safety, and solar energy—all through the lens of hands-on scientific inquiry that aligns with Massachusetts curriculum standards.

Whether your child is building their first sundial or conducting temperature experiments on the playground, these activities will help them think like real scientists while having summer fun.

Before we dive into this week's adventures in outdoor science, I’d like to invite you to our free online science class! Join us live on Wednesday, June 18th for “Easy At-Home Science Experiments!”

🔍 1. Wonder of the Week: Why Do Shadows Change During the Day?

Take your young scientist outside on a sunny day and invite them to observe their shadow at different times. You'll likely notice something fascinating: their shadow looks completely different in the morning, at noon, and in the evening!

This simple observation opens up a world of scientific inquiry. In the morning, shadows are long and stretch toward the west. At noon, they're short and point north. By evening, they're long again, but now pointing east. This pattern happens because of Earth's rotation and the sun's apparent movement across the sky.

Encourage your child to ask questions: Why does this happen? What does this tell us about the sun's position? This type of observation and questioning is exactly how scientists begin their investigations, and it connects beautifully to Massachusetts standards on patterns in the natural world and Earth's place in the universe.

🧠 2. Think Like a Scientist: Observe, Predict, Test - The Science of Sun Safety

Real scientists use their senses and tools to learn about the world around them. This week, guide your child through a complete scientific investigation using the sun as your subject:

Observe: Have your child notice how the sun feels at different times of day. Does it feel the same in the morning as it does in the afternoon? What about the temperature of playground equipment, sidewalks, or car surfaces?

Predict: Before testing, ask your child to make a prediction: "When do you think the sun feels hottest?" or "Which surface do you think will be warmest?"

Test: Use a thermometer to measure actual temperatures, or have your child carefully touch different surfaces (always ensuring safety first) to compare temperatures between morning and afternoon, or between sun and shade.

Explain: After collecting data, discuss the "why" behind your observations. Why is it important to wear sunscreen or a hat in summer? How does the sun's energy affect different materials?

This process mirrors how professional scientists work and aligns perfectly with curriculum standards that emphasize making observations, collecting data, and understanding the effects of sunlight on our daily lives.

🧰 3. STEM Tools: Sundials and Thermometers

Summer is the perfect time to introduce your child to scientific tools that make learning tangible and exciting:

Sundial: Create a simple sundial using just a stick and some stones. Plant the stick vertically in the ground and use stones to mark where the shadow falls each hour. Your child will be amazed to watch the shadow move throughout the day, creating their own timepiece powered by the sun! This activity helps students investigate time and the sun's apparent movement while supporting the curriculum's emphasis on using tools for scientific inquiry.

Thermometer: Make temperature measurement a daily adventure. Record temperatures at different times of day, compare sun versus shade, or measure the temperature of various surfaces. Create a simple data chart to track patterns over several days. This hands-on approach to data collection builds essential scientific skills while making abstract concepts concrete.

These tools transform your backyard into a fully equipped outdoor laboratory, giving your child the same investigative power that professional scientists use in their research.

📚 4. Read & Explore

Extend the learning with these carefully selected resources that connect science concepts to your child's summer experiences:

Book Recommendations:

• Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee — A gentle exploration of summer observations perfect for younger readers who are just beginning to notice the world around them

• What Are Shadows? by Seong-eun Kim — An excellent explanation of what makes a shadow, how a shadow gets bigger, what the colors of a shadow mean, and more. 

Articles & Resources:

• NASA Climate Kids: "Why Do We Have Seasons?" — Explains the science behind summer in kid-friendly terms

• Mystery Science: "Why Do We Get Sunburned?" — A short, engaging video lesson that makes sun safety both educational and memorable

These resources encourage summer reading while reinforcing the scientific concepts your child is exploring through hands-on activities. They're perfect for quiet afternoon reading or for diving deeper into questions that arise during your outdoor investigations.

🧪 5. Experiment Corner: Solar Oven S'mores

Turn snack time into science time with this delicious experiment that introduces solar energy concepts:

What You'll Need:

• Pizza box

• Aluminum foil

• Black construction paper

• Plastic wrap

• Graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows

How to Build It:

1. Line the inside of a pizza box with aluminum foil to reflect sunlight

2. Cover the bottom with black paper to absorb heat

3. Place your s'mores ingredients inside

4. Cover with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect

5. Set in direct sunlight and observe

The Science: Watch as the sun's energy slowly melts the chocolate and marshmallow. This experiment introduces your child to solar energy—a key science concept—while making science both fun and delicious. Discuss how the foil reflects light, how the black paper absorbs heat, and how the plastic wrap traps warm air.

Your child will love the tasty results, but more importantly, they'll understand how solar energy can be harnessed and used, connecting to larger conversations about renewable energy and environmental science.

Remember, the best science happens when curiosity leads the way. Follow your child's questions, celebrate their observations, and enjoy discovering the wonders of summer science together!

Visit summerscientists.com for more seasonal science activities and resources.

Ready to keep the discovery going all summer long? Register for the Summer Scientists program today to give your child a season filled with curiosity, creativity, and hands-on science fun! Refer a friend, and both of you will receive $15 off!

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this email are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products or services I truly believe in!