teaching resource

Light and Shadow Experiment Design Activity

Updated: 16 Mar 2026

Explore light and shadow while developing science inquiry skills with our Light and Shadow Experiment design activity pack.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 6 Pages
Year: 5

Curriculum

VC2S6U08

Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted
VC2S6I01

With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general rules
VC2S6I02

With guidance, plan appropriate investigation types to answer questions or solve problems and use equipment, technologies and materials safely, identifying potential risks
VC2S6I04

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
VC2S6I03

Equipment can be used to observe, generate, measure and record data with reasonable precision for repeated measurements, using digital tools as appropriate <ul> <li>recording data using standard units such as the volt, ampere, gram, second and metre, and developing the use of standard prefixes for metric units, such as ‘kilo-’ and ‘milli-’</li> <li>using digital tools such as digital thermometers and soil moisture probes to collect data over time, and recording data in spreadsheets</li> <li>discussing why precision is important in measurement, and comparing the precision of different class data sets, for example the growth of radish seeds in different soil environments and the length of shadows at different times of the day</li> </ul>

AC9S5U03

Identify sources of light, recognise that light travels in a straight path and describe how shadows are formed and light can be reflected and refracted
AC9S5I01

Pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions
AC9S5I02

Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct i
AC9S5I03

Use equipment to observe, measure and record data with reasonable precision, using digital tools as appropriate
AC9S5I04

Construct and use appropriate representations, including tables, graphs and visual or physical models, to organise and process data and information and describe patterns, trends and relationships
AC9S5I06

Write and create texts to communicate ideas and findings for specific purposes and audiences, including selection of language features, using digital tools as appropriate

teaching resource

Light and Shadow Experiment Design Activity

Updated: 16 Mar 2026

Explore light and shadow while developing science inquiry skills with our Light and Shadow Experiment design activity pack.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 6 Pages
Year: 5

Explore light and shadow while developing science inquiry skills with our Light and Shadow Experiment design activity pack.

Plan, Test, and Investigate With a Light and Shadow Experiment

Give your upper primary school students a relevant opportunity to plan and conduct an authentic scientific investigation with this systematic light-and-shadow experiment guide and worksheet pack.

Designed to build confidence with the scientific method and fair testing standards, this resource walks students step by step through investigating the relationship between the position of a light source and the size of the shadow produced.

With this resource, your students don’t just follow directions; they think like scientists by explaining what they already know about light, making predictions, and designing a fair test that controls variables and yields valid, repeatable results.

Inquiry-Based Experiments With Shadows

In our Inquiry-Based Experiments With Shadows, students explore how modifying the distance or location of a light source influences shadow size while keeping other variables the same. The pack includes clear templates that guide students to:

explain key properties of light and shadow
write a testable hypothesis based on prior knowledge
identify and control variables to ensure a fair test
plan materials and procedures
collect and record observations and measurements
analyse results and reflect on whether their prediction was supported

The supported structure helps students who are still developing their experimental design skills while allowing room for critical thinking and scientific reasoning.

Download This Shadow & Light Experiment Today!

This Shadow & Light Experiment is ideal for Years 5 and 6 and works well as:

a guided whole-class investigation
a small-group experiment
an assessment task for science inquiry skills
practise with planning and conducting fair tests

Download Your Light & Shadow Science Experiment Today

This printable Light & Shadow Science Experiment pack includes teacher-friendly instructions and student worksheets, ready to print and use.

This resource is available in both PDF and editable Google Slides format. To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button and choose your preferred file type.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher and Teach Starter Collaborator.

More Upper Primary Science Inquiry Resources

Pair this investigation with more of our upper primary science inquiry resources and activities. We recommend checking these out before you go!

[resource:2077702] [resource:3145738] [resource:4938817]

Curriculum

VC2S6U08

Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted
VC2S6I01

With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general rules
VC2S6I02

With guidance, plan appropriate investigation types to answer questions or solve problems and use equipment, technologies and materials safely, identifying potential risks
VC2S6I04

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
VC2S6I03

Equipment can be used to observe, generate, measure and record data with reasonable precision for repeated measurements, using digital tools as appropriate <ul> <li>recording data using standard units such as the volt, ampere, gram, second and metre, and developing the use of standard prefixes for metric units, such as ‘kilo-’ and ‘milli-’</li> <li>using digital tools such as digital thermometers and soil moisture probes to collect data over time, and recording data in spreadsheets</li> <li>discussing why precision is important in measurement, and comparing the precision of different class data sets, for example the growth of radish seeds in different soil environments and the length of shadows at different times of the day</li> </ul>

AC9S5U03

Identify sources of light, recognise that light travels in a straight path and describe how shadows are formed and light can be reflected and refracted
AC9S5I01

Pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions
AC9S5I02

Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct i
AC9S5I03

Use equipment to observe, measure and record data with reasonable precision, using digital tools as appropriate
AC9S5I04

Construct and use appropriate representations, including tables, graphs and visual or physical models, to organise and process data and information and describe patterns, trends and relationships
AC9S5I06

Write and create texts to communicate ideas and findings for specific purposes and audiences, including selection of language features, using digital tools as appropriate

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