Find North with a Shadow Stick

Groups find north using the shadow-stick method and, while waiting for the shadow to move, play a direction-guessing game. At the end they check with a compass and compare their guesses.

How to play

1. Explain: the shadow moves from west to east; the first mark at the tip shows roughly west and the second shows east (4 min).
2. Each group stands its pole upright in a cone in a sunny spot and marks the shadow tip with chalk (4 min).
3. Waiting game: the teacher calls a direction and each group runs to point it out next to a cone based on its guess; every answer is recorded without correction (13 min).
4. Second mark 15 minutes after the first; draw the west-east line and its perpendicular north-south line (6 min).
5. Check with a compass and compare with the guesses from the game (5 min).
6. Reflect: where did the sun rise this morning, and how can you use that on a trip? (3 min).

Rules

• Set the pole truly upright, and no one moves it until the second mark.
• No one looks directly at the sun.
• During the waiting game, don't run through other groups' shadow areas.
• Use compasses away from large metal objects.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: make the marks and lines with a long pole, or lead the group.
• Low vision: mark with colored tape or small cones instead of chalk.
• Students who need more movement: be the runner in every round of the waiting game.

Learning goals

• Find north without a compass using a shadow.
• Connect the sun's movement to the cardinal directions.
• Compare a guess against a check.

Equipment for a class of 25

• wooden poles: 8
• cones: 8
• chalk: 8
• compasses: 4

Teacher tip

You need a sunny day; schedule this with a gym backup. Common mistake: a tilted pole; check it's upright from two sides.

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