Friday, September 28, 2007

Naples, Florida, USA

  • Date: 28/09/2007

  • Shadow/Ombre: 62,5cm

  • Angle: 35°00'

  • Our school is a public A-rated school. There are 24 kids in this class, and 770 kids in the school. We have an outstanding challenge program and wonderful teachers of every type, even for art! Pelican Marsh has a morning News program that all of the teachers tune their TVs to the channel, and the volunteers from the 5th grade make announcements on. The 5th graders also make a security system that we like to call the Safety Patrols. The kids help the littler one to their classes and open the car doors in the car line. There are some cool fun-facts about Pelican Marsh!

    Lafrançaise, club astro

  • Date: 28/09/2007

  • Shadow/Ombre: 104,5cm

  • Angle: 46°15'


  • Wednesday, September 26, 2007

    Maricopa, Arizona, USA

    Mrs. Gomez’ 8th Grade, 5th Hour Pre-Algebra Class
    When I caught up with the class on Wednesday, September 26th, they had already been working with several days worth of sun movement measurements.When I met up with them outside their classroom, at the start of 5th hour, students were already aligning and stabilizing meter sticks that would be used as one of their tools. Underneath the sticks, they had first set down butcher paper. The stick cast the sun's shadow on the paper and the small teams were directed by the teacher to take new measurements every 2 minutes for 10 minutes. This was the data collection phase.
    Along with this and several other days of data the students are developing mathematical and statistical ways to analyze and interpret their data - to make it meaningful. The collaborative portion of this project derives from the publishing and evaluation of many class findings. The students in Mrs. Gomez's class were viewing data submitted by students in other countries, far flung geographic locations, who are conducting the same project NOW!

    Students will now work to calculate the circumference of the Earth, prepared with a good understanding of mathematics, the measurements of their simple tools and methods, and factoring in data published from a worldwide host of contributors ! They viewed data and pictures from Australia, Philippines, France and more!

    Tuesday, September 25, 2007

    Wrocław, Pologne

  • Date: 25/09/2007

  • Gnomon: 102cm

  • Shadow/Ombre: 118,5cm

  • Angle: 49°20

  • Liceum Ogólnokształcące : 51,11°N 17,11° E

    New York, Brooklyn, USA

  • Date: 25/09/2007

  • Shadow/Ombre: 86cm

  • Angle: 42°


  • Greetings from Brooklyn Friends School! We are located in Brooklyn, New York in the U.S. Our Latitude is 40.41.36 N and our longitude is 73.59.17 W.
    We are a Quaker school and we have around 600 students from family center to 12th grade. We have around 130 faculty members.
    New York is home to many important buildings and structures like the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty. And we are not far from ground zero; where the World Trade Center used to be.

    Lafrançaise, club astro

  • Date: 25/09/2007

  • Shadow/Ombre: 100cm

  • Angle: 45°
  • Monday, September 24, 2007

    PAMS, Virginia Beach, USA

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+98,5 cm -->N+ 44°30'
    36°45' NVirginia Beach(VA USA) ....... cm -->N+ 37°11'
    Our average measurement of the shadow was 9.2 inches from a foot long stick 12.125 inches.
    This gave us a central angle of 37.18 degrees.
    Our distance to the equator is 2528 miles.
    Therefore using the proportion, we measured 24,478 miles.
    The actual circumference is 24,902 miles.
    Our percent error was -1.7%.


  • Our school has 1,550 students in Grades 6 through 8. We are a fully accredited Virginia Standards of Learning School, and we prepare our students for high school. Our students enjoy their academics and have many extracuricular activities. In addition to soccer, field hockey, basketball, wrestling, and baseball, we have a Rocket Club and an Astronomy Club . We would enjoy communicating with students in France as in previous years.
  • Notre école a 1.550 élèves dans les catégories 6 à 8. Nous sommes entièrement accréditées par Virginia Standards of Learning School, et nous préparons nos élèves pour le lycée. Nos élèves apprécient leurs études et ont beaucoup d'activités extra-scolaires. En plus du football, du hockey sur gazon, du basket-ball, de la lutte, et du base-ball, nous avons un club de fusée et un club d'astronomie. Nous aurions plaisir à communiquer avec des élèves en France comme les années précédentes.
  • Gulf Breeze, Florida USA

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+98,5 cm -->N+ 44°30'
    30°22' NGulf Breeze (FL USA)+56,0 cm-->N+ 30°00'

    Hello from Oriole Beach Elementary!
    We're located at 30.17 N latitude and 87.10 W longitude...just a few miles east of Gulf Breeze, Florida. We're not on a beach but Pensacola Beach is only a 10 minute drive away.
    We have 850 Pre-K to 5th grade students in our school. Two of the six 5th grade classes are participating in this project. Our teachers team up for our math and science.

    Lafrançaise, club astro

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+98,5 cm -->N+ 44°30'
    08°25' NBaungon (Philippines)+15,25 cm-->N+ 08°40'


    Maricopa, Arizona, USA

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+98,5 cm -->N+ 44°30'
    33°03' NMaricopa (Arizona USA)+64,00 cm-->N+ 34°00'

    We are an 8th grade Pre-Algebra class at Maricopa Wells Middle School in Maricopa, Arizona, U.S.A.
    We are located Latitude (33) Longitude (-112).Our city and school is in a great growth at this time. A couple years ago our middle school had 300 kids; now we has 1270 and still more are coming! We have a dress code of simple designs/plain shirts and pants, and we have a great sports program with football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, cheer, and cross country. We have a great staff and student population and we are getting excited for this well put together project...goooo Eratosthenes!!

    Arras, équinoxe d'automne

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+98,5 cm -->N+ 44°30'
    50°17' NArras (FR)+123,0 cm-->N+ 51°00'
  • Le lendemain de l'équinoxe, en dépit de mauvaises conditions météorologiques, nous avons pu effectuer quelques mesures.
  • La valeur de l'angle des rayons du Soleil avec la verticale (51°) est proche de la valeur de la latitude d'Arras (50°17').
  • Sunday, September 23, 2007

    Pachuca, México

  • Date: 23/09/2007

  • Angle: 28°18'

  • lat: 20°07' N long: 99°44' W

    Auckland , New Zealand , Spring time

  • Date: 23/09/2007

  • Shadow/Ombre: 78,3cm

  • Angle: 38°

  • We are a home school family in Auckland New Zealand. We are Year 6 which is equivalent to Grade 6 USA.
    We are starting this experiment with great pleasure. We are looking forward to do the activities and the noon day itself.
    Our location is:
    Latitude: 36°52'03" South
    Longitude: 174°48'12" East
    We found this on Google Earth.
    We are in Spring time here down under with the sun shining most days. Let's hope it's sunny on the DAY!

    Lafrançaise, Labarthe France

    Photo prise par Laure
    Photo prise par Laure (5°1), chez elle, le dimanche de l'équinoxe d'automne.

    Friday, September 21, 2007

    Adélaïde, Australie

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+94,5 cm -->N+ 43°20'
    35°00' SAdélaïde (Australie)+70,0 cm-->S- 35°00'
    Hamilton Secondary college is a large secondary government school with both continuing students from grades 7-12 and also adult students who attend day and night classes in a variety of curriculum areas.We are situated in the southern suburbs of Adelaide around 6 km from the sea and 7 km from the CBD. Hamilton is the home of the South Australian Space School and we frequently have NASA astronauts visit our school.
    Students play a variety of sports including basketball, volleyball, netball,cricket, Aussie rules football, soccer and we also have a large number of students involved in rock climbing (we have a rock wall on site) and bike riding.
    The Australian Rules Grand Final is to be played this week in Melbourne and the two teams playing are Geelong ( a town near Melbourne) and a team from Adelaide (Port Adelaide 'Power'). Over 40,000 people are expected to travel to Melbourne from Adelaide to watch the teams play.
    We have a mediterranian climate here with temperatures ranging from 8-12 degrees C max in winter to 33-40 degrees C maximum in summer. At the moment we are in spring with temperatures around the mid twenties.There is 16.5 hours time difference between Adelaide and LA (on daylight saving) so that when it is 6pm on Sunday 23 September in LA it is 10.30 am in Adelaide.

    Yuba City, California, USA

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+94,5 cm -->N+ 43°20'
    39°06' NYuba City (CA USA)+78,45cm-->N+ 38°10'
    We are the first 6th grade class at a brand new school in Yuba City, California, USA, called Riverbend Middle School.
    We are located in a farming community north of Sacramento.
    We are a math and science exploration class, which is an elective class offered for strong math students. Throughout the year we will be studying both math and science through hands-on projects.
    Our latitude is 39°05'15" N.
    Our longitude is 121°36'04"W.
    Thank you to all the classrooms sharing the wonder of new things with us!

    Lafrançaise, classe: 5°4

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+94,5 cm -->N+ 43°20'
    35°00' SAdélaïde (Australie)+70,0 cm-->S- 35°00'
    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+94,5 cm -->N+ 43°20'
    39°06' NYuba City (CA USA)+78,45cm-->N+ 38°10'

    Thursday, September 20, 2007

    Wharton, New Jersey USA

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+93,0 cm -->N+ 43°00'
    40°54' NWharton (NJ USA)+84,0 cm-->N+40°00'

    MacKinnon Middle School

    6A writes…….Our class is in the Alfred C. MacKinnon Middle School. We have great teachers and it’s a small middle school .We have a dress code at MacKinnon Middle School. Most of the students wear casual clothing like jeans and t-shirts, but we cannot wear flip-flops, tank shirts or shirts with inappropriate sayings on them. We also have school sports like baseball, soccer, cross country, softball and cheerleading.
    6B writes……. Our class is in the Alfred C. MacKinnon Middle School in Wharton, New Jersey. It is a great school with great teachers and we have baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and cross country teams. We also have clubs after school like art, homework, and computer club. We have a great principal and a great cafeteria. As 6th graders, this is first time changing classes for every subject. In 8th grade we will get to go to Boston, Massachusetts over night and get to learn about the History of Boston!
    6C writes…….Good Day! We are 6C and we are participating in the Noon Day project as part of a school wide enrichment program. Our school is MacKinnon Middle School. It is located in Wharton, NJ. MacKinnon Middle School has a lot to offer. We have great teacher for all of our classes. They work hard to help us do our best. We have a great sports program that includes soccer, basketball, baseball, cheering, and cross-country. Our performing arts department includes chorus, drama and band. Here in Wharton, we also get the opportunity to attend community events such as dances and carnivals. Our community works hard to give each resident the feeling of family.
    6D writes…….I am writing this letter on behalf of my 6D class. My name in Andrea Guaman. I live in Wharton NJ. I go to school here in MacKinnon Middle School. I am 12 years old. I’m from Ecuador. I’m in the 6th grade and my homeroom teacher’s name is Mrs. Winkler. This is my first year here in MacKinnon Middle School.

    Lafrançaise

  • Date: 20/09/2007

  • Shadow/Ombre: 93cm

  • Angle: 43°

  • Wednesday, September 19, 2007

    Lafrançaise, classe:5°4


    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+92,0 cm -->N+ 42°30'
    32°49' SCañada de G. (AR)+ ..,. cm-->S- 34°40'
    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+90,0 cm -->N+ 42°30'
    40°47' NNew York (USA)+ 82,0 cm-->N+ 39°20'

    Tuesday, September 18, 2007

    Lafrançaise, classes: 5°3; 4°1

  • Date: 18/09/2007

  • Shadow/Ombre: 90.5cm

  • Angle: 42°08'



  • Monday, September 17, 2007

    Home school, Stanford, Kentucky USA

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+90,0 cm -->N+ 42°00'
    37°32' NStanford (KY USA)+ 72,0 cm-->N+ 35°45'


  • We used plastic containers and crushed oyster shell to hold our meter sticks vertical.
  • Nous avons utilisé des récipients en plastique et avons écrasé des coquilles d'huîtres pour maintenir notre bâton de un mètre vertical.


  • This is me ready to start measuring. Noon for us was 1:33 pm.
    The temperature now is 82°F.
  • C'est moi, prête à commencer à mesurer. Le midi solaire pour nous était 13h33. La température est maintenant 28°C.
  • Lafrançaise, classe de 4°2

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+90,0 cm -->N+ 42°00'
    37°32' NStanford (KY USA)+ 72,0 cm-->N+ 35°45'

    Stanford, Kentucky USA (calculs)

    We had a good time participating in this project. Our weather has turned hot again, we would love some rain. The farmer’s crops and livestock really need it here.695.75 km is the approximate distance between Stanford, KY and Lafrançaise, Fance.
    The Circumference of the earth is 360 times the distance between cities divided by the central angle.
    Circ. of earth = 360 X 694.41 / 6 = 360 X 115.735
    Circumference equals approximately 41,745 km.
    The actual circumference of the earth is 40,076 km.

    Sunday, September 16, 2007

    Princess Ann Middle School,Virginia Beach USA

  • Princess Ann Middle School Giants measure the sun's shadow on the Autumnal Equinox 2006 to determine the earth's circumference mathematically!
  • Les Géants de collège Princesse Ann mesurent l'ombre du soleil à l'équinoxe d'automne 2006 pour déterminer la circonférence de la terre mathématiquement !
  • Princess Ann Middle School 1st launch of 11' Rocket Panther on K1100T
  • 1er lancement de la Fusée Panthère de 11' du collège Princesse Ann sur K1100T

  • Friday, September 14, 2007

    Lafrançaise, classe de 5°3 G1&G2

    LatitudeOmbre/ShadowAngle
    44°08' NLafrançaise (FR)+81,6 cm -->N+ 39°10'
    00°00'Equateur- 6,3 cm-->S- 03°35'


  • Le midi solaire est correct:
  • autour de 13h50
    La longueur de l'ombre est trop courte d'environ 8cm.
    Il faudra revoir le réglage de la verticalité du gnomon.

  • Solar noon is correct, around 1:50pm
  • The length of the shadow is 8cm shorter than it should be.
    It will be necessary to re-examine the adjustment of the verticality of the gnomon.

  • Après vérification, l'éphéméride du prof est aussi à revoir , autour de l'équinoxe d'automne.

  • After checking, the ephemeride of the teacher is also to re-examine, around the autumnal equinox.
  •