Making use of the sunshine
Shadow science – what is the best time of
day to cast a shadow? Using chalk and your
playground, go out 5 or 6 times across the
day, trace your own shadow, measure its
length and record your observations. For a
fair test, stand in the same spot each time.
Can you make a prediction about what will
happen to your shadow and where it will
be on the third, fourth and fifth trips out?
What is causing this change?
Gratnells Outdoor Education Kit
Example kit list
for exploring biodiversity
• Magnifying glass
• Plastic collecting pots with lids
• Brushes and spoons
• Long handled nets
• Separating dishes
• Data loggers
• Cameras
• Identification charts and guides
Exploring evaporation – after a rain storm,
or using a bottle of water, find or make
a puddle in a sunny spot. Trace a line
around the far edge of the puddle with
chalk, at regular timed intervals, go and
check the puddle, draw a new line around
its perimeter and mark the time on the
line. Repeat until the puddle is gone.
Older students could use square paper to
calculate the area inside each perimeter
line (after all the water has gone) and
plot the data on a graph. Experiment with
different volumes of water and different
locations on your play ground. The whole
class could have their own puddle. Develop
your investigation by recording light levels
and air temperature.
Older students could set up a time lapse
recording to show how the shadow of a
fixed object moves over the full school day.
Include a large clock in the frame with the
object to illustrate the passing of time.
Beyond science, you could lay an old sheet
out on the playground under a shadow
cast by an interesting tree, use charcoal or
paint to fill in the shadow, experiment with
mud paints or use natural objects to make
a collage.
Teaching outdoors is how we can make
learning come alive for our students,
enriching all subject areas, engaging and
inspiring children to take their studies
further. It’s only when you go outside and
find real world examples that diagrams
and theories have context, resonance and
meaning.