Calculating the Circumference of the Earth
Moderators: kgudger, bfinio, Moderators
-
oliviawho
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:10 pm
- Occupation: Student: 9th grade
- Project Question: For my science fair project, I am calculating the circumference of the earth using the Eratosthenes bleep. I am seeing how the time of day I measure the shadow affects the accuracy of the measurements. The independent variable is the time of day I collect my measurements and the dependent variable the difference between the circumference I find and the one that has been calculated by experts. Is there a control in this experiment? Do I need a control for this type of experiment?
- Project Due Date: January 2015
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
Calculating the Circumference of the Earth
I found the experiment "Calculating the Circumference of the Earth" on the Science Buddies website and wanted to know if this was eligible to be a science fair project. What are the independent and dependent variables here? Control? Do you need these things in a science fair project? I am very interested in this topic but I don't know how it can translate properly for the science fair. I know that for some engineering projects, there are different layouts you can use. Does that apply to mathematics projects too? Thanks.
-
MadelineB
- Moderator
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:42 pm
- Occupation: Biostatistician/Data Scientist
- Project Question: Interested in volunteering as an expert
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Calculating the Circumference of the Earth
Hello Oliviawho,
This is a very interesting project. To get started answering your questions, you could look at this link to the Science Buddies Science Fair Project Guide:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... evariables
Hope this helps! Let us know if you have more questions.
Madeline B
This is a very interesting project. To get started answering your questions, you could look at this link to the Science Buddies Science Fair Project Guide:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... evariables
Hope this helps! Let us know if you have more questions.
Madeline B
-
deleted-323360
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:06 am
- Occupation: Teacher
Re: Calculating the Circumference of the Earth
Making Your Estimate of the Circumference of the Earth. You can use Eratosthenes' bleep to calculate the circumference of the earth yourself. You can even make the calculation when the sun casts a shadow at noon in both places.

