Summertime STEM: Science Experiments & Activities to Explore the Sun
Young children are naturally curious, fascinated with the world around them and the way things work. As a continuous part of the natural world, the sun is a source of curiosity that presents many playful learning and exploration opportunities for little learners.
Shadow Tracking
Exploring shadows is a fun way for little ones to learn about the sun and observe the way it moves in relation to the Earth throughout the day. Have your child stand in an area where their shadow is clearly visible. Trace your child’s shadow using chalk. You might even incorporate some early math language by comparing the sizes of shadows, noting the way the sun’s angle can make the shadows bigger or smaller!
As you observe their shadow throughout the day, you can show them that their body is blocking the sun’s rays from getting to the ground – causing a shadow to be made on the sidewalk.
Sun Melted Crayons
This simple experiment is a great way to use up small pieces of broken crayons that you might have. All you will need is a cupcake baking tin and broken crayon pieces! You can also use muffin liners, if you’d like.
You will need to do this activity on a hot day (above 90℉).
- place the broken pieces of crayon into the cups of the cupcake tin.
- Place the cupcake tin in the direct sun during the afternoon, when the temperature is at its peak. Leave the crayons outside for a few hours to give them time to melt. \
- Look at them every once in a while to observe the melting process. Talk about how the heat from the sun can change materials from solid to liquid!
- Once they are fully melted, bring the crayons back inside to cool. After the melted crayons have completely hardened, you can keep them to use for future art projects!
Ideas from good2knownetwork.org