Sunny Sandbox Exploration
Home Connection
Dear Family,
During the last few days, the children designed and built a model of a structure to
protect the sand in a sandbox from sun and rain. They acted just like engineers!
To make the model, they. . .
•identified and learned about a problem
•planned ways to solve the problem
•made a model
•tested the model
•thought about their test results and made a new plan
In this exploration, children were introduced to science concepts, such as how
sunlight heats the ground and how objects that block sunlight cast shadows.
They also tested materials to find which block sunlight and which let sunlight pass
through. They also practiced science and mathematics skills, such as counting
and measuring, conducting fair tests, using data to make a comparison, and
drawing conclusions supported by evidence.
Let your child tell you about the activities in this engineering project. As your child
speaks, listen for science words such as sunlight and shadow and mathematics
words such as square and rectangle.
If your child needs help telling what happened, ask prompting questions, such as
•What was the problem you were trying to solve?
•How did you find out which materials block sunlight?
•How did you find which materials block rain?
•How did you compare the size of the square and rectangles?
•What materials did you use to make a covering for the sandbox?
© ETA hand2mind®
•How did you know if your covering was successful?
This STEM project has been developed in partnership with Texas A&M University.
hand2mind.com
800.445.5985
Connect with us.
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
Home Connection
Sunlight and Shadow
Use the picture to have your child tell you about
sunlight and shadows. Ask prompting questions,
such as
•Where does the light come from?
•Where is the shadow?
•What made the shadow?
•Which is warmer, the sand in sunlight or the
sand in shade?
Try This at Home: Shadow Shapes
With your child, look for shadows in your home. Explore how the shapes of the shadows
match the shapes of the objects that cast them.
Use a flashlight to explore more about shadows. Find a room with a relatively empty wall.
Darken the room. Have your child stand between you and the wall. Project the flashlight
on your child, so there is a shadow on the wall. Observe the size of the shadow. Move
around to answer questions like these:
•How does the shadow change if you move the flashlight closer to your child?
If you move it farther away from your child?
© ETA hand2mind®
•What happens to the shape of the shadow if your child turns sideways?
This STEM project has been developed in partnership with Texas A&M University.
hand2mind.com
800.445.5985
Connect with us.
Sunny Sandbox Problem
Name __________________
Our sandbox covering must
ABlock sunlight
A Block rain
AWe may use
•
•
•
•
•
Cotton cloth
Yellow plastic
Clear plastic Wax paper
Foil
• 25 straws
© ETA hand2mind®
• 20 connectors
Hands-On Standards STEM in Action
®
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
13
Which Materials Block Sunlight?
Name __________________
We tested five materials to find out which
block sunlight.
Cotton
Cloth
Yellow
Plastic
Foil
© ETA hand2mind®
Wax
Paper
Clear
Plastic
14
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
Hands-On Standards STEM in Action
®
Wet or Dry?
Name __________________
We tested five materials to find out which
let water pass through.
Cotton
Cloth
Yellow
Plastic
Foil
© ETA hand2mind®
Wax
Paper
Clear
Plastic
Hands-On Standards STEM in Action
®
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
15
How Many Squares?
© ETA hand2mind®
Name __________________
16
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
Hands-On Standards STEM in Action
®
© ETA hand2mind®
Hands-On Standards STEM in Action
®
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
17
Compare Shapes
Name __________________
We compared the number of squares in
three shapes.
The square has
small squares.
The short rectangle has
small squares.
The long rectangle
has
small
squares.
18
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
© ETA hand2mind®
What did you find out?
Hands-On Standards STEM in Action
®
Sandbox Covering
Name __________________
We made a covering for a sandbox.
1.Shape of our frame (Circle one.)
2.Roof material (Circle one.)
Yellow Plastic
Foil
3.Shape of roof material (Circle one or two.)
5.Did our covering shade most of the
sandbox?
Yes
© ETA hand2mind®
4.Our covering made _____ squares of
shade.
No
Hands-On Standards STEM in Action
®
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
19
Sam’s Sandbox
© ETA hand2mind®
Name __________________
We counted our squares of shade.
20
Sunny Sandbox Exploration
Hands-On Standards STEM in Action
®