In winter, the solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the first day of the new season. That is, if you live on this side of the planet (Brooklyn, NY). Although the days will indeed grow colder, there is good news. After the shortest day of the year, the days begin to get a little longer. You also get to do a little experiment.
This year, the winter solstice is on Wednesday, December 21st.
Here's what you can do on the winter solstice:
BASIC MATERIALS:
A sunny day, notebook, pencil, tape measure. Optional: chalk.
EXPERIMENT: SHADOW EXPLORATION
Choose a sunny spot on the solstice day and have a friend or grown-up measure your shadow from head to toe. Write down the measurment in a notebook or piece of paper. Make sure to record the date and time that you measured your shadow. Write down or draw your observations about your shadow and the sun that day. If you have chalk, have a friend or adult outline your shadow on the ground.
At the same time the next day, return to the location you measured your shadow. If its a cloudy or rainy day, return on a day. It's very important to conduct the experiment at the same time. Measure your shadow and record the information in your notebook. If you have chalk, measure your shadow.
What changes can you observe from the day before?
This year, the winter solstice is on Wednesday, December 21st.
Here's what you can do on the winter solstice:
BASIC MATERIALS:
A sunny day, notebook, pencil, tape measure. Optional: chalk.
EXPERIMENT: SHADOW EXPLORATION
Choose a sunny spot on the solstice day and have a friend or grown-up measure your shadow from head to toe. Write down the measurment in a notebook or piece of paper. Make sure to record the date and time that you measured your shadow. Write down or draw your observations about your shadow and the sun that day. If you have chalk, have a friend or adult outline your shadow on the ground.
At the same time the next day, return to the location you measured your shadow. If its a cloudy or rainy day, return on a day. It's very important to conduct the experiment at the same time. Measure your shadow and record the information in your notebook. If you have chalk, measure your shadow.
What changes can you observe from the day before?
