Sponne Cluster Year 5 & 6 mathematicians have ‘graduated’ today from the Study Centre’s G&T programme. They were a superb bunch and you can view on our G&T site, the final session’s activities that were themed around explorations of trigonometry around the circuit.
The starter activity, however, was based around a story that I heard from Alan, who has been at Silverstone for many years. He told me that the study centre finds itself both in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. I checked it in Google Earth and it is true - the county border is clearly maked on the photo (left). I thought it would be a great to have a line - à la Greenwich Meridian - running through the centre of the Study Centre. The challenge for the students was to find and place it for me.
Working in pairs, they approached the problem in different ways, using a mixture of virtual and meatspace measuring. Some used a compass, others a protractor, a trundle wheel or measuring tape. It really was a treat to behold, particularly as I did not have a clue what the answer was. Here are a few photos of the industrious explorers.
All the creative approaches though came up with the virtually the same solution in the end so I’m quite confident that the measuring tape below marks the county border.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Hello everybody
Just wanted to say well done to all you gifted and talented children!! sorry I could not be there for your graduation but it has been fantastic to work with all of the age groups at the centre (you all taught me something!!haha). Looks an impressive session Peter well done and would like to wish you all every success and hope to see some future accountancy, project management and stock market wizards!!
Jonny