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INTRODUCTORY TEXT TO THE LESSON In this lesson the teacher and students looked at four different topics:
1. They wanted to calculate the height of the mountain at the Devil's Bit. They show how to calculate heights using ratios.
How to use the height of a person in relation to their shadow and the similar measurements from a tree to make estimates. The mathematical formulae are shown.
2. The students investigated gravity. They anticipated that the force of gravity would decrease as they climbed the mountain but they downloaded a free app that allowed them to make measurements and showed that gravity doesn't change.
3. The students investigated the effect of atmospheric height on the boiling point of water. They showed that as the atmospheric pressure decreases with height the boiling point also is affected.
4. The students investigated energy conversions - solar and wind energy increased as they climbed the mountain, and they showed that using a simple wind vane with a solar panel.
An extra observation was made regarding the average number of eggs laid by birds as the height rises. This observation demonstrated the engagement with the students in the inquiry process and showed that the activities had triggered extra ideas for the students.
