Fun light science experiments, STEM challenges, and more!...and curiosity within your kids. In this...
Transcript of Fun light science experiments, STEM challenges, and more!...and curiosity within your kids. In this...
GROUNDHOG DAYA C T I V I T Y P A C K F O R K I D S
Fun light science experiments, STEM challenges, and more!
w w w . l i t t l e b i n s f o r l i t t l e h a n d s . c o m
INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to your Groundhog Theme STEM Pack filled with great STEM and science
activities every junior scientist and engineer should try! I hope it sparks creativity
and curiosity within your kids.
In this pack, find a fun selection of Groundhog Day activities, challenges, and
experiments. I have added supplies, setup instructions, and simple science
information for each activity. The pack also includes a fun STEM project and
extras to share with your kids. Our packs now include simple writing activities!
Feel free to use this pack with one junior scientist or a whole group of junior
scientists. You may copy activities as many times as you like for your class, but
please send your friends to grab their pack instead of sharing files.
~ Thank you!
G R O U N D H O G D A Y S T E M P A C K
GROUNDHOG DAY WRITING ACTIVITYOur NEW cover page includes the opportunity to draw and write about
your Groundhog Day prediction.
Cover Directions:
Do you think the groundhog will see his shadow? Use
the cover page to draw your prediction. If you think
he will see his shadow be sure to draw the groundhog
and his shadow. You can add weather elements and
plants, too. Add as many details as possible!
Groundhog Day Journal
Writing Page Directions:
According to legend, if the groundhog sees his
shadow, there will be six more weeks of bad winter
weather. However, if the groundhog does not see his
shadow, it is a sign that spring have an early arrival.
Would you rather the groundhog see his shadow or
not see his shadow? Use the lines provided to record
your answer. Be sure to include at least one reason.
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Will the Groundhog see His Shadow?
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Here’s My Prediction!
Groundhog’s Shadow
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Would you rather the groundhog see his
shadow or not see his shadow? Why or why not?
L I G H T S C I E N C E A C T I V I T I E SExplore fun light science activities right through spring! Learn new
vocabulary words, read fun facts, and try simple activities!
Illuminate
To light up something
Light
Reflection shadow
Makes things visible
When light bounces
off of a surface are made when a light
source is blocked
Dark shapes that
LIGHT SCIENCE VOCABULARY WORDS
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transmit opaque
transparent translucent
To go through
Light passing through
a clear object
through so the light is reflected or absorbed
No light can pass
pass through and some light can not
Some light can
LIGHT SCIENCE VOCABULARY WORDS
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LIGHT SCIENCE VOCABULARY WORDS
Visible light
Light the human eye can see
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LIGHT SCIENCE facts
Light does not have matter. It's not really a solid, liquid, or gas, and it has no mass. However, light still exists and is very important to us! Light is a form of energy.
Without light, our planet would be cold and dark. We use the light from the Sun to illuminate our world and give us heat! Otherwise, Earth would be cold and dark. Light also helps out plants to grow through a process called photosynthesis.
Light behaves differently when it comes into different types of matter. For instance, light shines through water and air because these states of matter are transparent. Light can't go through you, your pet dog, or the book you are reading, so it is reflected. This is because these objects are all opaque. Sometimes light does a bit of both: it passes through and it doesn't. This is called translucent. Wax paper is a good example of a translucent object.
Did you know that light is the fastest moving thing in the universe? It only takes about eight minutes for light to reach the Earth from the sun.
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LIGHT SCIENCE experiment
Objective:
Explore the differences between opaque,
transparent, and translucent materials.
Supply Ideas
Experiment and explore Collect different objects to explore how light passes through different things. Additionally, take your flashlight on a scavenger hunt around the house or classroom and explore wood, glass, metal, and larger items of interest.
Flashlight Foam Plate Clear Plastic Lids
Cardboard Grocery Bags Colored Plastic Lids
Book Wax Paper Clear Plastic Bags
Tissue Paper Mirror Glass of Water
Use the chart on the next page to record observations.
Is the item transparent, translucent, or opaque?
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LIGHT SCIENCE experiment
Material Transparent Translucent Opaque
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Make Shadow Puppets
Materials: animal silhouettes, straws, tape, flashlight or sunlight
Shadow STEAM Activity Materials: opaque objects such as blocks or plastic animals,
paper, pencils, crayons or markers, a source of light
Directions:
Set up a large sheet of paper on a table in a sunny spot either indoors or
outdoors. Set up your objects on the paper so that the sun is behind the objects
casting the objects' shadows onto the paper. Outline around the
shadows and create a work of art!
Directions:
Explore shadows using the cut outs and either the sun's light or a flashlight
and open wall space. Experiment with changing the size and shape of the
shadow by moving the light source closer or farther away, or changing
the angle of the light source.
Changing Shadow Activity Directions:
Why does your shadow move and change shape throughout the day? As the
sun moves across the sky, its height in the sky changes, too.
Go outside in the morning with a friend and observe your shadow with the sun
behind you. Take turns drawing outlines of one another and measuring the
length of your shadows. Go back out at noon and see how the shadow has
changed. Go out again a few hours later and observe the shadow again.
You will see the shortest shadow at noon. Shadows will be the longest at the
beginning and end of the day when the sun is lower in the sky.
What happens when you use a flashlight with the puppets in a dark room?
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G R O U N D H O G D A Y Q U I C K S T E M C H A L L E N G E SAdd these Groundhog STEM challenge cards to a simple engineering kit
filled with easy to find supplies. Encourage your kids to get creative!
This activity is perfect for fun individual, group, or team projects and a
great addition to maker spaces or tinker tables.
Groundhog’s DayGroundhog’s DayGroundhog’s Day
Activity & Engineer’s Activity & Engineer’s Activity & Engineer’s NotebookNotebookNotebook
Groundhog’s Day Engineering Activity Supply ListGroundhog’s Day Engineering Activity Supply ListGroundhog’s Day Engineering Activity Supply List Scissors
Screws
Screwdriver
Shredded paper
Skewers
Soil
Sponges
Springs
Stapler
Straws
Sticks
String
Styrofoam balls
Sugar cubes
Tape
Tape measure
Tea lights
Thread
Tin can
Toilet paper
Toothpicks
Twine
Twist ties
Washi Tape
Water
Whirly gig
Wire
Wooden planks
Yarn
Zip ties
Acrylic paint
Aluminum foil
Baking soda
Brown Baggies
Bamboo sticks
Cardboard
Clay
Coffee filters
Cookie cutters
Cornstarch
Cotton balls
Cotton swabs
Craft paper
Craft sticks
Dryer hose
Duct tape
Easter grass
Feathers
Felt
Flat marbles
Flashlights
Food coloring
Funnel
Gears
Glitter (gold)
Glitter glue
Glow stars
Glue
Golf tees
Hammer
Hinges
K’nex®
Leaves
LEGO® bricks
Lollipop sticks
Magnets
Marbles
Markers
Measuring cups
Nails
Nuts and bolts
Paint
Paper
Paper towel tubes
Paper cups
Paper clips
Paper towels
Paper roll tubes
Pencil
Pens
Pipe cleaners
Plastic containers
Plastic pipes
Plastic spoons
Potting soil
Pulleys
Ribbon
Rubber Bands
Research & Design a Groundhog BurrowResearch & Design a Groundhog BurrowResearch & Design a Groundhog Burrow
Challenge: Build a simple machine a groundhog could use to
get in/out of his burrow.
Possible Supplies: rope, yarn, string, gears, pulleys, screws,
screwdriver, nuts and bolts, skewers, toothpicks
Challenge: Do some research to determine what a groundhog
burrow is like. Then using your STEM supplies design and build a
model.
Possible Supplies: use paper, pens, pencils, and markers to design your burrow.
Challenge: Build a burrow for a groundhog.
Possible Supplies: clay, play dough, twigs, soil, potting soil,
leaves, sticks, brown baggies, paper roll tubes, toilet paper,
paper towels
Build a Burrow for a GroundhogBuild a Burrow for a GroundhogBuild a Burrow for a Groundhog
Challenge: Can you use your building blocks, or other materials
to build a model of a groundhog?
Supplies: LEGO® building blocks, K’nex®, wood slats, or other
types of building materials such as craft sticks, toothpicks,
skewers, craft paper, brown baggies
Build a Groundhog Build a Groundhog Build a Groundhog
Build a Simple Machine Build a Simple Machine Build a Simple Machine
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Explore Light and ShadowExplore Light and ShadowExplore Light and Shadow
Challenge: Design and make a shadow puppet. Then, using
your flashlight, test your design.
Possible Supplies: flashlight, cardboard, craft paper, paper,
markers, fabric, scissors
Make a Shadow PuppetMake a Shadow PuppetMake a Shadow Puppet
Challenge: Use a flashlight to explore light and
shadows.
Possible Supplies: flashlight, dark area or room, a
variety of shapes use objects in the room as well as
items found on your supply list.
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Groundhog to use with your burrow, and simple machine.
Groundhog graphics by:
Dot’s Designs
Groundhog Burrow Challenge
STEM Journal Pages
Engineering Design Process
B U I L D A B U R R O W S T E M C H A L L E N G ETry this Groundhog Day themed, problem-based challenge, and get thekids thinking about the engineering design process and animal habitats.
What's Included:
Build a BurrowBuild a BurrowBuild a Burrow STEM ChallengeSTEM ChallengeSTEM Challenge
Do some research to determine what a groundhog burrow is
like. Then use your STEM supplies to design and build a model.
The Challenge:
Entrance hole
Plunging hole
Food Turn Around
Toilet
Tunnels
Sleeping
Nesting
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Label the Burrow
Cut out the labels below. Sort and label the diagram above.
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Entrance hole Plunging hole
Food Turn Around
Toilet Tunnels Sleeping
Nesting
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Build a burrow
Entrance hole
Plunging hole Food
Turn Around
Toilet
Tunnels
Sleeping
Nesting
Cut out the shapes below and use them to build a burrow for your groundhog.
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Draw Your Design Possible Supplies:
clay, play dough, twigs, soil, potting soil, leaves, sticks, brown baggies, paper roll
tubes, toilet paper, paper towels
What is the problem?
What works? What
doesn’t? What could
be better?
What are some solutions?
Follow your plan and create something.
Test it out!
Draw a diagram and make a list of needed
materials.
What is the problem? What do I need to know? How can I solve the problem?
What information will I need? What are some solutions? How can I solve the problem?
What things do I need to use? Draw a diagram and make a list of needed materials.
Follow your plan and create something. Test it out!
What changes can I make to make it better?
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Questions for Reflection
1. What were some of the challenges you
discovered along the way?
2. What worked well and what did not
work well?
3. What part of your model or prototype do you
really like? Explain why.
4. What part of your model or prototype needs
improvement? Explain why.
5. What other materials would you like to use if
you could do this challenge again?
6. What would you do differently next time?
7. What parts of your model or prototype are
similar to the real world version?
Use these questions for reflection with your kids after they have completed
the STEM challenge to encourage discussion of results and critical thinking.
G R O U N D H O G A C T I V I T I E SMake shadow puppets and make predictions for this popular winter day!
windy cloudy sunny
snowy partly cloudy rainy
What special day is it today? Groundhog Day Weather Report
What is the date today?
What is the weather today? (Color your answer.)
What is the temperature today?
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Name Yes No
Totals
Groundhog’s Shadow Prediction Chart
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Use tally marks to record the predictions from the chart.
Groundhog Day Math
Write a math sentence to show the difference between yes
answers and no answers.
YES NO
Which answer has the most tally marks? Color your answer.
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Animal Silhouette Puppets Activity
Groundhog graphics via: Dot’s Designs
Procedure:
Cut out the silhouettes. Tape each animal
to a single straw. Then, find a location
where there is sunlight streaming through
the window. Use the animal silhouettes
to cast shadow puppets on the wall.
Spin, twist and shake your shadow
puppet to see what happens.
Think about it:
What about when there isn’t sunlight
streaming through the window?
What would happen? What else can
you use to create a shadow?
What happens when you try casting
shadows against a darker colored wall?
W HA T ’ S T HE SCIE N C E B E HIN D SHA D O W S?
Shadows are all about physics and light. You need a source of
light for there to be a shadow. This is the reason why the
groundhog may or may not see his shadow depending on the
weather that day.
Here, we are using the sun as our light source. When an object is in
front of the light source it blocks the light and creates the shadow.
Since the light can’t pass through our paper, it creates a shadow
on the wall.
If our paper were transparent however, the light would pass
through and there would NOT be a shadow! You can also play
around with the angle you hold your stick shadow puppets or how
close or far from the wall you hold them. What happens?
Now when Groundhogs Day rolls around you will know exactly
what’s going on!
Supplies needed:
animal silhouettes
straws
scissors
tape
sunlight
flashlights
C L I P A R T C R E D I T P A G E
Credit is given to the following: