More Tinkering

Chapter 14 Sun Path Model

Model the seasons and shadows anytime, anywhere on Earth.

I’m interested in how modern amenities such as electricity and television affect people’s observation of nature. I often ask students what they know about how the moon changes position and shape. (I’d ask you, but you’re not here!) When I go to teach the phases of the moon, it’s a challenge when my students have never made many observations of it.

Another slightly subtler question I ask is about where the sun rises. From your house, can you tell me where the sun rises and sets?

Well, shoot, you say, every school child knows the sun rises in the east, right? ...