Activity
Big Kid Science

Measuring Shadows Using an Ancient Method

For Teachers 8th - 12th
How did ancient peoples determine the height of really tall objects? Young scientists and mathematicians explore the concept of using shadows to measure height in a hands-on experiment. Paired pupils measure shadows, then calculate the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Shadow Knows: Student Worksheet

For Students 3rd - 4th
Pairs of pupils get together in order to measure the heights and lengths of their shadows. They use these measurements in order to predict the height of other friends in class. A good activity to practice measuring things that cannot be...
Worksheet
Florida Center for Instructional Technology

The Shadow Knows: Student Worksheet

For Students 3rd - 5th
How can you measure the height of a tree or telephone pole with only a short measuring tape?  It's not a problem when you start by measuring your shadow and your height to create a ratio to use with taller objects. Additional...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Countdown Challenge: Shadow Sleuth

For Students 7th - 8th
In this shadow sleuth worksheet, students use proportions and indirect measurement to determine the measurement of given objects. This one-page worksheet contains three problems.
Activity
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Lake Afton Public Observatory

Shadows, Angles, and the Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
Shine some light on the topic of seasonal change with this collection of activities. Whether it's by measuring the change in the length of their shadows, or modeling the earth's orbit around the sun using a lamp and a globe, these...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Shadow Knows: Student Worksheet

For Teachers 4th - 6th
In this math worksheet, students will work in small groups to measure the height of objects, such as trees, using their shadows. Students will be able to determine heights of objects that cannot be directly measured.
Worksheet
Curated OER

"Bear Shadow" Activity Card

For Students 1st - 2nd
In this literature and science worksheet, students listen to a family member as they read "Bear Shadow." They conduct experiments that with light, shadows, and measuring tools before recording the date they did the experiment. They...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Modeling Using Similarity

For Teachers 8th Standards
How do you find the lengths of items that cannot be directly measured? The 13th installment in a series of 16 has pupils use the similarity content learned in an earlier resource to solve real-world problems. Class members determine...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Angle Measurements

For Students 10th
In this angle measurement worksheet, 10th graders solve and complete 9 different word problems. First, they read the word problems carefully. Then, students draw a picture that represents each problem and solve. Finally, they find side...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Ratio Word Problems

For Students 7th - 8th
In this ratio learning exercise, students solve and complete 10 different problems that include determining various ratios of events. First, they determine the height of a building given the time of day and shadow it casts. Then,...
Worksheet
Curated OER

My Tree Observations

For Students 5th - 7th
In this tree observation worksheet, students pick a tree that they observe over the course of a school year. They make observations, they sketch the tree, they take photographs of the tree, they get a leaf sample. They estimate the tree...
Interactive
Curated OER

Ten Multiple Choice Length Problems

For Students 9th - 10th
In this distance activity, students calculate the lengths of sides and diagonals of figures.  Students also compute lengths in shadow problems.  The solutions are provided by clicking on the "show answers" tab at the bottom of...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Quiz: Similarity

For Students 7th - 8th
In this similarity worksheet, students use the characteristics of similar figures to determine the length of one side of a polygon, the height of a tree, or the shortest side of a triangle. They also identify similar figures. ...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Right Triangle Trigonometry

For Students 10th
In this geometry worksheet, 10th graders use right triangle trigonometry to find the missing angle measure.  The two page worksheet contains fourteen problems.  Answers are provided. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Lesson 3-5: Proportions and Similar Figures

For Students 9th - 12th
In this similar figures worksheet, students use proportions to solve 6 short answer and multiple choice questions.  Students use proportions to answer questions about map scales and height of trees given shadow lengths.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Similar Figures

For Students 10th
In this geometry worksheet students explore similar polygons and determine measure of missing sides and angles. Students use indirect measurement with similar triangles and determine the area and volume of similar figures. The seven...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Trigonometry Multiple Choice

For Students 9th - 10th
In this geometry learning exercise, students solve word problems. They find the height and distance of triangular measurements. They identify missing angles using triangular properties. There are 10 questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Angles of Elevation and Depression

For Students 10th
In this angles of elevation and depression worksheet, 10th graders solve 4 word problems that are related to determining the angles of elevation and depression. First, they define angle of elevation and angle of depression as used in the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Algebra Using Proportions

For Students 10th
For this algebra using proportions worksheet, 10th graders solve 14 various types of problems by applying algebra methods to geometry. First, they solve each of 8 proportions using cross products. Then, students use the triangle shown...
Lesson Plan
Bowland

Sundials!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Time to learn about sundials. Scholars see how to build sundials after learning about Earth's rotation and its relation to time. The unit describes several different types of possible sundials, so choose the one that fits your needs — or...
Lesson Plan
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NASA

Lights on the International Space Station

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Groups explore illumination with NASA's Lighting Environment Test Facility (LETF) as a context. Using the TI-Nspire app, groups determine the lux equation that models their simulation. They then use the lux equation to...
Worksheet
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Curated OER

Apparent Motion of the Sun

For Students 10th
Demonstrate the path of the sun across the sky at different times of the year with an engaging science lesson.  Learners use a series of questions and diagrams to examine the movement of the sun and appearance of the sky around...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Use Proportions - Problem Solving 17.5

For Students 6th
In this proportions worksheet, 6th graders use the problem solving steps of understand, plan, solve and look back to solve a story problem using proportions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Student Exploration: Penumbra Effect

For Students 4th - 8th
In this penumbra effect worksheet, students explore the internet program Gizmo to learn about the penumbra effect and answer short answer questions about it. Students answer 13 questions.