World Space Week / Chalk Sundial Shadow Clock
Chalk Sundial Shadow Clock
Children build a giant sundial using a stick or a child as the pointer, marking shadows through the day to see how Earth's spin moves the Sun across our sky.
How to run it
- On a sunny morning, place a tall stick in a bucket of sand on a sunny patch of concrete, or have a child stand on a marked spot.
- Trace the shadow with chalk and write the time at its tip.
- Return every hour to trace and label the new shadow.
- At the end of the day, discuss how the shadow moved and changed length, and why: Earth is spinning, not the Sun moving.
You will need
- chalk
- broom handle or tall stick
- bucket of sand
- clock or timer
Make it easier or harderYounger children can trace shadows and compare long and short; older children can predict where the next shadow will fall and measure each one.
SafetyRemind children never to look directly at the Sun, and use sun protection while outdoors.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4Children make predictions, observe changes over time and explain the Earth's rotation using evidence they collected.
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