STEM: SUNDIALS
August 5, 2026 - Our class learned how primitive cultures tell time by creating sundials. Sundials are the oldest known devices to measure time. It depends on the rotation and movement of the earth. The Egyptians were the first to use the sundials. They used a stick or pillar called the gnomon. The surface of a sundial has markings for each hour of daylight.
We used paper plates and straws to recreate the Egyptians' sundials. Our sundials looked like regular clocks but only one hand. We decorated our sundials with artwork and colors. Then we used flashlights to simulate the sun and found out that as the sun "moves" across the sky from east to west, it creates a moving shadow of the gnomon on the clock. The position of the shadow shows what time it is during the day. Finally, we went outside, pointed the 12 position on the sundial north, we can see the shadow of the gnomon on the dial. Through this process, we can actually get close to the exact time.
By the use of these sundials, we can tell that it was time to go home when the straw/gnomon hits 3:00pm! 😁
Photographer: Briella
We used paper plates and straws to recreate the Egyptians' sundials. Our sundials looked like regular clocks but only one hand. We decorated our sundials with artwork and colors. Then we used flashlights to simulate the sun and found out that as the sun "moves" across the sky from east to west, it creates a moving shadow of the gnomon on the clock. The position of the shadow shows what time it is during the day. Finally, we went outside, pointed the 12 position on the sundial north, we can see the shadow of the gnomon on the dial. Through this process, we can actually get close to the exact time.
By the use of these sundials, we can tell that it was time to go home when the straw/gnomon hits 3:00pm! 😁
Photographer: Briella
