Trigonometric fun at Bicentennial Park

Henry Kendall High School students participating in trigonometric activities at Bicentennial ParkHenry Kendall High School students participating in trigonometric activities at Bicentennial Park

Some of Henry Kendall High School’s top stage five mathematics students participated with five other schools in a day of trigonometric fun at Bicentennial Park, Homebush on Friday, October 23.

Students were assisted by experienced surveyors, university lecturers and mathematics teachers.

In the shady cool surrounds of the park, students applied their knowledge of trigonometry and bearings to unusual activities ranging from field measurements of garden beds, Olympic events, the Treillage Tower and radar hunts, to finding the radius of the earth.

Students used sundials, compass and more modern laser prism theodolites, handheld satellite GPS and the latest Ground Penetrating Radar to estimate, measure, check and record survey data.

Field mapping measurements were entered by students into a mini CAD software program where other bearings and area can be calculated more accurately. This activity confirmed for students their survey and mathematical skills.

Newsletter, Oct 30, 2015
Jenny Lill, Henry Kendall
High School