Assignment 3 Math History

Our group chose to represent our topic, the history of sundial, through this piece of drawing. This is because sundials are usually artistic in their designs, and visual representation can easily differentiate the various types of sundials. In history, many nations have individually developed and used sundials to keep track of time. Since there was no direct linkage between all the nations in using sundials in history, we have decided to combine all our findings together in one drawing.

In this drawing, we have put the large sundial in the center with cardinal directions pointing at the geographic location of different regions. Although being a sundial, the large sundial tells a different story from the time. We are focusing on the history of sundial in ancient China, ancient Greek, Renaissance Europe, and Medieval Islam. For each region, we put down the most typical representative sundial used in the era by the mentioned nations.  On top of that, we are representing our findings with drawings that we think are symbolic of the history and development of corresponding sundials. We decided to place the sun at the east where it rises, and the shadow of the gnome separates the three regions that we are going to introduce in detail. 

In teaching, we can show this drawing to the class, and ask students to discuss the history and relations to the given topics. The topic of sundials can be used to explore how trigonometry was used to tell time and improve the accuracy and precision of sundials from different periods of time. This artwork can also be combined with geography or physics classes where it is relevant. We can also include a hands-on activity in class to engage students in making sundials.

References 

Berggren, J. L. (2007). Sundials: An Introduction to Their History, Design, and Construction. Hands on History: A Resource for Teaching Mathematics, (72), 19.

Berggren, J. (1999). Sundials in medieval Islamic science and civilization. Coordinates, 1(9), 6.

European association for astronomy education. Short history of sundials. Retrieved 07 Dec 2020, from https://www.eaae-astronomy.org/find-a-sundial/short-history-of-sundials

Sabanski, C. (n.d.). Equatorial Ring Sundial. Retrieved December 14, 2020, from https://www.mysundial.ca/tsp/equatorial_ring_sundial.html

Shell-Gellasch, A. (Ed.). (2007). Hands on history: A resource for teaching mathematics (No. 72). MAA.

Sundial Histrory - First Time Keeping Device. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2020, from http://www.historyofwatch.com/clock-history/history-of-sundials/

Vincent, J. (2008). The Mathematics of Sundials. Australian Senior Mathematics Journal, 22(1), 13-23.