Engineering Images Using Lights, Screens, and Objects

Shadows on a classroom wall.

Car shadow on a curtain.

Child creating shadows on classroom wall.

Child with two utensils creating shadows.

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to a high interest STEM experience that will provide young children with opportunities to engineer light and shadow using materials that are inexpensive and easy to find. Recent research on the importance of early experiences and the development of executive function skills will be woven into the discussion.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with human-made light sources, large and small screens, light pads, and loose parts specifically chosen to use with light investigations. Discussion will address how these experiences can meet standards in literacy, math, science, and approaches to learning. Photos and video exemplars of children engaged in light and shadow investigations in PK-2 classrooms will be shared.

Workshop format:  face-to-face

Length of workshop:  3 hours

Number of participants:  limited to 24

View the experience sheet for this workshop.