In the fifth-grade science class, led by teacher Ryan James Evansen, students have become little scientists and engineers with a fascinating project: building sundials adapted to the unique conditions of Cali, located near the equator. This group work has not only been a lesson in astronomy and creativity but also an opportunity to learn through hands-on experience.
The students began by experimenting with different designs, facing the challenge that traditional sundials do not work the same way in the tropics. They learned that, due to Cali’s location, these sundials need to have two faces (one for each half of the year) and must be placed vertically instead of horizontally. After several prototypes, they achieved a functional model: a cardboard circle marked with hours and a small stick in the center. This design, simple yet ingenious, uses the shadow cast by the sun to indicate the time, demonstrating how Earth’s movement and the sun’s position connect to our measurement of time.
This project has allowed students to gain a better understanding of key astronomy concepts while developing problem-solving and observation skills, sparking their curiosity for science.
