Is The Earth Spherical?
Using logic and scientific methods to explore age-old questions

September 10, 2009

Ann Arbor - The Emerson obelisk was the scene of contemplation and query today as Tim Wilson's 6th grade science class gathered. The group has traveled back to 300 B.C.to study astronomy. Clad in the fashion of the day, they learned about Aristotle's theories and considered a "new" idea. Perhaps the earth is spherical! With reasoning, observation, testing and measurement, they will explore this revolutionary idea.

Students of the Lyceum (8th graders) proposed methods to determine the size and shape of the earth as they dined on figs, dates, bread and apples. In coming weeks they will test their ideas, moving logically toward a better understanding of the heavens. Calculating the earth's size, creating models to study movement of celestial bodies, building a planetarium that projects the ancient sky are in their future study.

New ways of thinking are taking hold.