Use this teaching resource when studying Chemical Science and exploring the properties of materials.

In this activity, students investigate the amount of shade particular materials provide.

Teachers prepare a number of frames ahead of time by cutting a 5 cm square window out of the centre of a shoe box lid. A variety of materials are taped to each window e.g. clingwrap, coloured plastic, crepe paper, coloured tissue paper, chiffon, stretchy fabric, felt, bubble wrap, calico, towelling etc. Samples of these materials are also provided for students to glue onto the worksheet as they test each one.

Students conduct the investigation outside in the sunlight. The teacher models how to hold the frame up to the light allowing the material to cast a shadow. Students colour the window of each frame in the table to match the shadow cast for each material.