Measuring the Earth like Eratosthenes
How can you calculate the size of the Earth with just a stick and the sun?
That was the challenge taken up by our secondary school students at LFIDD, as they recreated the famous experiment of the ancient Greek mathematician Eratosthenes.
Armed with simple sticks, they measured the length of shadows on the ground at different times of the day. With these observations and some precise calculations, they were able to estimate the Earth’s circumference – just as Eratosthenes did over 2,000 years ago… with the help of his loyal camel!
This activity brilliantly combined history of science, mathematics, astronomy, and critical thinking.
Primary school pupils were also invited to observe the experiment carried out by their older peers. For them, it was a captivating discovery: noticing how shadows move throughout the day and understanding that the Earth truly spins on its axis.
This project highlights one of LFIDD’s strengths: building bridges between grade levels, fostering scientific curiosity, and showing that science is an adventure to be shared by learners of all ages.
