A replica of Eratosthenes‘ experiment was initiated in the campus garden of Çevre College on March 21
ÇEVRE MIDDLE SCHOOL
A replica of Eratosthenes‘ experiment was initiated in the campus garden of Çevre College on March 21
  • +
  • -

A replica of Eratosthenes' experiment was initiated in the campus garden of Çevre College on March 21


The circumference of the Earth was first calculated in 240 BC by the Greek philosopher Eratosthenes (276–194 BC) on the date of the Equinox. Eratosthenes saw that at the hour when the sun was at its zenith, the sun's rays fell vertically into a well in the ancient city of Syene (Aswan) in Egypt, and there was no shadow. In the city of Alexandria (Alexandria), which is 5000 stadia (1 stadia is approximately 185 m) away from this city, he measured the shadow length of a stick perpendicular to the ground at the moment when the sun was at its highest position during the day (passing through the noon circle), and calculated the angle between the sunlight forming the shadow and the bar using simple trigonometry. He calculated the circumference of the Earth.

With the 8th grade students, we also tried to calculate the circumference of the earth on March 21 at noon, like Eratosthenes had done, in order to raise awareness and enhance what they had learned.
We were pleased and proud to see their interest and engagement in this learning experience.

Top