Description:
Students recreate the remarkable measurement of the circumference of the earth that was done by Eratosthenes over 2000 years ago, by collaborating with teachers and students from other schools throughout the world. At roughly the same time they measure the length of a shadow cast by a meter stick, share this data electronically, use scale drawings and a spreadsheet to make comparisons, and use this information to estimate the circumference of the earth. This activity is an opportunity for students to see how mathematics and science work together in explaining a real world phenomenon.

Organization:
Center For Improved Engineering & Science Education (CIESE) Stevens Institute of Technology 602 River Street, Fourth Floor Hoboken, NJ 07030 http://www.k12science.org

URL:
http://njnie.dl.stevens-tech.edu/noonday/noon.html

Contact:
Ihor Charischak Program Manager, CIESE Email: icharisc@stevens-tech.edu

Cost:
None

Education Level:
Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12

Subject:
Geography
Geosciences
Planetary Geology

Resource Type:
Internet Site
Curriculum/Instructional Materials

Year Published:
2000
 
 

Date Added to teachearth.com:
5/1/00