For Educators
We are the champions of play.
Play isn’t killing time. It’s creating character.
Everything we want from our children is already in them. And play is how they unlock it.
Growing Shadows
In this lesson, students will explore light and shadows by experimenting with flashlights. This challenge encourages using light to change the size and possibly shape of shadows. In this lesson, using only a flashlight, tape and some small blocks, students try to position the light behind the object in such a way that the shadow grows to at least the height of the tape on the wall. The children may experiment with keeping the blocks on a predestined spot on the floor or varying the building location on the floor.
Colorful Shadows
A shadow is caused by an object blocking light so that it does not reach a surface. The area in shadows appears black because there is no light falling on it. It appears dark. In fact, most shadows are not totally black because light usually bounces around and off objects. What happens when 3 colors combine to make a background white? How does the light change the shadow of an object?
A-Maze-ing Challenges
In this lesson, students build a WATER DROP MAZE using no-cost materials and challenge peers, parents and teachers to make it to the end without their drop of water falling off or falling in. Mazes support the development of spatial thinking, important to understanding math and rely on trial and error and executive function to test and then remember which paths do NOT lead to the exit. And this particular maze also allows for experimenting with water and friction resistance.