When the finger reaches the top of the object, the observer calls “Stop!” and the measurement is read off the ruler. One student holds the ruler and sights the object, while the other runs their finger slowly up the ruler. It is sometimes useful for students to work in pairs. Hold the ruler at arm’s length and count how many centimeters ‘tall’ the object is. Have students stand on the mark and look toward the object they wish to measure. Once again, this can be practiced indoors or out. Once everyone has become familiar with the compass and taking azimuth bearings, it is now time to try measuring altitude.This is often best done in the classroom where everyone can turn to each of the walls and corners of the room and measure azimuth bearings together to be sure everyone is doing this correctly and getting the same results. Using the compass properly will take some practice. Now turn toward the target (a distant tree or any other object) and adjust the compass so the N lines up with the compass needle the direction you are looking toward the object shows you the bearing or azimuth direction. Have the students stand on a fixed place (X marks the spot!) and hold the compass flat and level in their hands.A simple worksheet which asks students to record the altitude and azimuth and then describe or even draw the object they are measuring is useful. You may also wish to number these spots and write the name of the target next to the X. Take sidewalk chalk out to the play yard and mark an X to identify 10 or so places for students to stand while taking measurements.If your students do not do this, their results will not be consistent!Įxploring and Measuring Altitude and Azimuth Holding the ruler at arm’s length insures that the distance between the eye and the ruler is the same every time. Once your students have mastered using the compass and ruler to measure altitude and azimuth, students can apply these skills to actually map the position of the Moon in the sky! The important thing with this activity is to make sure the students hold the ruler at arm’s length. ![]() Learning how to measure distant things like the Moon, the Sun, and other planets and stars is a problem that astronomers have been dealing with for many thousands of years – and we are still working on it today! ![]() With this new activity, students can learn to measure things that are too big, or too far away to measure in any conventional way. You may be thinking: ‘But I already teach my students how to use a ruler and a protractor to measure things!’ This activity is fundamentally different. Unlike our previous activities, this one is about learning to use tools to measure things. Our bevel vernier protractors provide the highest level of precision… a010710ProductPhoto01FileName: C359BZe51394cUSa7 a010750UsePlaceholderPhoto: N a010770ApplicationPhoto01FileN: 1112_Protractors_and_Angle_Measurement a010110SeriesTitle: Precision Measuring Tools a010120ProductTitle: Protractors
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |