Craft a sun dial, position it correctly, and you will be able to tell time. Wow kids with this practical environmental science activity.
Supplies
- 1 paper plate per child
- Markers
- Tape
- 1 bendy drinking straw per child
- The sun
- A few rocks
- scissors
How to tell time by the sun
To create a sundial have the children start by carefully use scissors to poke a hole in the center of the plate. Make the hole large enough so that the straw fits through it. Then. push the straw through the hole and bend it so the short side is on the underside of the plate and the long side is sticking up through the hole. Next, secure the straw in place by taping the short end of the straw to the underside of the plate. Make sure that the long end of the straw if straight up.
After the sundial has been built, have the kids look at a clock. Taking note of where the twelve and six are, and the three and nine. Have them mark on their plate the 12, 3,6, and 9.
Take the sundial and an analog clock outside. Position the sundial so it faces true north. If this concept is to much for your group have them use the analog clock and position the sundial so the shadow of the straw is cast in the same place of the hour hand on the clock. Next place rocks on the sundial do it does not blow away. Wait an hour or two and check on the sundial.
After a few hours have the kids observe their sundials. Have them take not of what is happening. Is your sundial able to keep accurate time? If the straw on your plate is straight, the time on your sundial will match the time on your analog clock! To learn more about how sundials work checkout liverpoolmuseum.org
