Measuring the Diameter of Our
Star
Alia Davis
Curtis High School, Staten Island
Summer Research Program for Science Teachers
August 2010
Level:
Prior Knowledge:
Materials:
2 Large index cards for each student
Tape
Aluminum foil
Pin
Scissors
Calculator
Time:
Teacher Instructions:
Teachers may want to consider
modeling a few of the cuts so the students can see what the instructions refer
to; depending on grade level you may also want to put the pin-holes in yourself.
New York State
Science Standards
STANDARD 1 - Analysis, Inquiry, and Design
MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS:
Key
Idea 1:
Abstraction and symbolic representation are used to communicate mathematically.
M1.1
Use algebraic and geometric representations to describe and compare data.
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY:
Key
Idea 1:
The
central purpose of scientific inquiry is to develop explanations of natural
phenomena
STANDARD 4 - The Physical Setting
Key Idea
1:
The
Earth and celestial phenomena can be described by principles of relative motion
and perspective.
Key Idea 2:
Many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components of air, water, and land.
STANDARD 6 - Interconnectedness: Common Themes
MODELS:
Key
Idea 2:
Models
are simplified representations of objects, structures, or systems used in
analysis,
STANDARD 7 – Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
STRATEGIES:
Key
Idea 2:
Solving
interdisciplinary problems involves a variety of skills and strategies,
including effective work habits; gathering and processing information;
generating and analyzing
ideas;
realizing ideas; making connections among the common themes of mathematics,