Exploring the Power of the Sun

LESSON 2

Children explore the power of the sun and learn about the concept of sunlight and its ability to create images through a sun printing activity.

Choose one or multiple sun printing activities for this lesson:

Fabric sun printing

  • Solar fast color dye

  • Cotton, linen, or silk fabric

  • Objects of choice to make sun prints with

Paper Sun Printing

  • Sun print paper or construction paper

  • If you use sun print paper you will need a shallow basin large enough to fit the paper to rinse the paper in water after sun printing.

  • Objects of choice to make sun prints with.

  • Clear glass or acrylic to keep objects in place while sun printing.

Materials

Preparations

  • Gather materials

  • Encourage critical thinking and inference about the causes of print changes.

  • Cultivate appreciation for nature and art by using sunlight to create prints.

  • Facilitate engaging and interactive discussions about the sun and its properties.

  • Encourage curiosity and active participation among the children.

Objectives for Teachers

  • Children develop scientific observation skills by noticing changes in the sun prints.

  • Children express creativity through arranging objects and creating unique prints.

  • Children deepen their understanding of the sun's role in providing light and heat.

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

Mr. Sun

Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me.

Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you

To please come out so we can play with you.

Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me.

Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me.

Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you

To please come out so we can play with you.

Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me.

Practice singing the song “Mr. Sun” together with the actions you came up with.

Activity Flow

  1. Begin by reflecting on the previous lesson with your child, asking questions such as:

  • What do you know about the sun?

  • How does the sun make you feel?

  • What does the sun do?

  • Why is the sun important?

  • What can we do with the sun’s light and heat?

2. Next, share that you will be conducting an exciting experiment using the power of the sun to create sun prints. Show your child the special paper or fabric dye that reacts to sunlight to reveal designs. Explain that to create these designs, you'll need to find botanicals or other items to make the prints.

3. Take a moment to look around your house, or outside to find items you think would make a beautiful design. Then follow the instructions for the activity you chose.

Fabric Sun Printing

  1. Lay down a plastic sheet, large pan, or cardboard to protect your work surface and have your materials ready: Solar Fast dye, fabric, botanicals, and a paintbrush or sponge.

  2. Place the fabric on the protected work surface.

  3. In a dark room with low light, use a paintbrush or sponge to apply the Solar Fast dye evenly onto the fabric, or follow the manufactures instructions to create a dye solution and fully submerge the fabric in the solution. Make sure the fabric is fully covered with dye.

  4. Arrange the botanicals or other items on the dyed fabric to create your desired design. Press them down gently to ensure they stay in place. Optionally, you can use a clear acrylic board to place on top of botanicals to keep them from moving.

  5. Take the fabric outside and place it in direct sunlight. Let it sit for 10-20 minutes, or until you see the color changing around the items.

  6. Bring the fabric back inside into the low light room and carefully remove the botanicals or other items from the fabric.

  7. Rinse the fabric thoroughly with water to remove any excess dye. Wash it with mild detergent to set the design.

  8. Hang the fabric to dry completely.

  9. Enjoy your beautiful sun prints! Encourage creativity and have fun exploring different designs together.

Paper Sun Printing

  1. Lay down a plastic sheet or cardboard to protect your work surface. Have your materials ready: sun print paper, botanicals or other items, and a tray or flat surface.

  2. Choose botanicals or other items you want to use to create your design.

  3. In a room with low light, place the sun print paper on the tray or flat surface with the blue side facing up. Arrange the botanicals or items on the sun print paper to create your desired design.

  4. Take the tray with the sun print paper and items outside and place it in direct sunlight. Let it sit for 2-5 minutes, or until the paper turns white around the items.

  5. Carefully remove the botanicals or items from the sun print paper.

  6. Rinse the sun print paper thoroughly with water for about one minute to reveal the print.

  7. Lay the paper flat to dry completely.

  8. Enjoy your beautiful sun prints!

4. After the sun printing activity, conclude the lesson with a few questions:

  • What do you notice about your print?

  • What caused the paper/fabric to change?

  • How did the objects block the sun?

  • What do you think would happen if we conducted this experiment on a cloudy day? What about at night?