On Saturday, December 21st, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the Winter Solstice – the shortest day and longest night of the year. During the Winter Solstice, one of the Earth's poles is tilted furthest away from the Sun, resulting in the Sun taking the shortest path across the sky and giving us the least amount of daylight. After this day, the days gradually become longer again, symbolizing a turning point in our solar journey while bringing brighter days and a fresh start to the year.
The Winter Solstice has always been a day of deep significance. For thousands of years, cultures worldwide have celebrated the Winter Solstice as a time of rebirth, hope, and renewal. For some cultures, it marks the rebirth of the sun; and for all, it launches the promise of longer, brighter days.
Ancient cultures worldwide celebrated this pivotal moment with various traditions, rituals, and festivals.
The Celts honored the Sun with bonfires and feasts.
The Romans threw joyous celebrations during Saturnalia.
The Norse celebrated Yule, paying homage to the Sun goddess.
Within many North American Indigenous communities, the Winter Solstice is observed as the holiest of times, and winter is a time for storytelling, reflection, and passing down wisdom to younger generations.
The Winter Solstice reminds us of our deep connection to the natural world. We invite you to mark this day by engaging in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) activities and concepts while celebrating this magical day!
SCIENCE - Earth’s Tilt and Orbit: Investigate Earth's tilt and its orbit around the Sun. The Earth rotates on its axis approximately every 24 hours, creating the day/night cycle and causing the Sun to appear to move across the sky. Use a globe or a ball as the Earth and a flashlight as the Sun to show how light hits the Earth differently throughout the year. The Earth doesn’t just spin – it leans! During the Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere tilts furthest away from the Sun.
TECHNOLOGY - Digital Exploration: Utilize online educational resources, such as videos, articles, and simulations, to explore the science behind the Winter Solstice. Websites like NASA's education portal offer excellent materials. Alternatively, use light meters (or a smartphone app) to measure the sunlight's intensity at different times during the day, illustrating the reduced daylight on the Winter Solstice.
ENGINEERING - Build a Sundial: Construct a sundial or a solar alignment model to demonstrate how Earth's tilt and orbit impact the amount of sunlight received throughout the year. You can make your own sundial to track the Sun’s movement by placing a stick (the gnomon) in the ground and mark the shadow every hour. Notice how the shadows are longer during the Winter Solstice because the Sun is lower in the sky.
ART - Creating & Storytelling: Create sun-themed crafts like paper suns, lanterns, or sun mosaics to brighten up the darkest day. Alternatively, read or write stories about the Winter Solstice and the cultural traditions associated with it. You can even share a legend or story from your family’s culture.
MATH - Graph the Sunlight: Graph the daylight hours throughout the year, starting with the Winter Solstice. Use this graph to identify patterns, calculate averages, and understand the solstice's significance in terms of daylight. You can also calculate the difference in daylight hours between the Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice, using fractions, percentages, and time calculations.
The Winter Solstice is not just about science – it’s about celebrating the beauty of our world. These ancient observances reflect a universal human connection to the natural world and the profound impact of the sun's cyclical journey. Today, we continue to honor the Winter Solstice with modern understanding, bridging the past and present in a shared appreciation for the wonders of our universe. From ancient traditions to modern explorations, this day connects us to the universe and to each other. It’s a perfect opportunity to share stories with your family, appreciate the wonders of Earth and Sun, and to explore fun activities that make learning exciting and meaningful.
As you observe the shortest day and longest night, take this opportunity to help your children understand the how and why of the Winter Solstice, along with its cultural and historical significance. Whether you’re building a sundial, creating crafts, or simply enjoying the wonder of the longest night, it’s a time to reflect, learn and have fun!
Happy Solstice!
Katie Mayer and Grand Forks Children’s Museum Team
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