Curated and Reviewed by
Lesson Planet
This Measuring Shadows Using an Ancient Method activity also includes:
- Activity
- Worksheet
- Join to access all included materials
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 height of the object using similar triangles.
58 Views
44 Downloads
Concepts
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
- Work the science angle by having class members form a hypothesis regarding why this measurement method is accurate
- Assign research on the topic of ancient forms of measurement and measurement devices
Classroom Considerations
- The activity works best when performed outdoors
- Locate enough yard sticks for each working pair
Pros
- The activity is very streamlined and keeps learners focused on the objectives of the lesson
- Makes a good exercise for classes studying the solar eclipse, as shadows are useful tools for eclipse observation
Cons
- None