Shadow Stick: Design A Sun Measuring Device for a Window

thingiverse

I have not 3D printed this design yet. I will this fall, and upload pictures then. Lower elementary grades are tasked in science (NGSS 1-ESS1) with observing the Earth’s Place in the Universe. A Disciplinary Core Idea of ESS1.A is that “Patterns of the motion of the sun, moon, and stars in the sky can be observed, described, and predicted. (1-ESS1-1).” Students are tasked with Science and Engineering Practices that include “Planning and Carrying Out Investigations.” This can include creating devices in a 3D design software, to carry out classroom observations, hopefully allowing students to see patterns in the shadows and/or sun entering a classroom window. Devices should be relatively simple, work if hung inside on a window or if set on the windowsill, and allow students to track, measure, and record observations on an hourly, daily, and seasonal manner. Devising a device to allow the recording of such data takes this science concept and extends it to longer term, cross curricular STEM Unit, integrated with technology, math, and the Engineering Design Process. Both NGSS standards 1-ESS1-1 and NGSS 1-ESS1-2 can be supported using 3-D technology software to design devices to capture sunlight and shadows for the purposes of measuring it over time of day and seasonally.