Students in Mrs. Leach's Trigonometry classes learned how to solve equations for unknown values of two variables for a right angle triangle. To help students put thier newly learned mathematical theories into practice, Mrs. Leach and Mr. Jones collaborated to offer a cross-discipline integration project.
The project integrated other academic disciplines (science and history) the students were introduced to two different cultures that used trigonometry to measure distance using celestial bodies for navigation purposes.
To experience this type of navigation create a rudimentary sextant for the purpose of measuring angles. The primary use of a sextant is to measure the angle between an astronmical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation.
Cross Discipline Integration
This project integrates the fields of math, science and history to show students how early cultures developed mathematical and scientific studies for the purpose of navigation.
Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies relationships between side lengths and angles of triangles ("trig" comes from the Greek word trigōnon meaning "triangle" and metry means "measure"). Trigonometry applications were developed by the Greeks during the 3rd century BCE, emerging from geometry for the purpose of astronomical studies. The Greeks were not the only cultures to use mathematics astronomy.
Indigenous Navigation.pptxEarly Navigation
Though the development of the mathematical branch of trigonometry is attributed to the Greek civilization there were other cultures that used similar mathematical principles to better understand the natural world in which they lived.
The provided presentation illustrates how two distinct cultures, Pacific Islander (including micronesian, melanesian and polynesian) and the Viking civilization used "trigonometry" concepts as well as astronomical studies for the purpose of navigating the oceans of the world to find new lands.
Presentation created by Aaron Jones, Director of Arts Integration and Museum Partnerships
MATERIALS
Materials needed: Protractor, Straw, String, Tape, Weight
INSTRUCTIONS
- Tie string through the hole in the protractor's base.
- Cut the string to about 7 inches and tie a weight such as paper clips to its other end.
- Tape the straw to the straight edge/ ruler side of the protractor.
On a clear night, hold your sextant up to your eye and sight Polaris (the North). Measure the angle at which the string hangs, and subtract this number from 90. The result is the angle of Polaris' altitude above the horizon. Polaris is directly above the North Pole, so its angle corresponds to your latitude.
ASSESSMENT: DISCOVERING DOWNTON
STUDENT WORK
