re you teaching anything about any of these topics in the near future
If you are, and if you work with Y6 children then there is a fantastic maths activity described on the Grey Matters blog.
If none of the conditions above apply to you, then it is still worthy of a read just to see what can be done with some good lateral thinking and a healthy dose of research.
The basic idea is to replicate an experiment initially carried out by the ancient Greek mathematician, Eratosthenes of Cyrene. Eratosthenes, among many other achievements was the first recorded person to accurately calculate the circumference of the Earth. Here’s a short video explaining Eratosthene’s experiment (video by Charles and Ray Eames)
If that piqued your interest, check out the full details on the Grey Matters Blog – there Scott Cram carefully describes two methods of replicating Eratosthenes achievment:
- The first uses Google Earth
- The second uses email and/or video link with another school to coordinate shadow measurements.
Both are fantastic ways to enable children to see the validity of a very old experiemtn and the potential of modern technology.
Oh, and while you are popping over to the Grey Matters Blog you might do yourself a really big favour and take a good look through some more of Scott’s Mathematics postings for further inspiration.
[Image source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ocean Service]
