What it shows
Directions are named by the Sun and the compass. We find east where the Sun rises, then work out north, south and west.
The science
The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If you stand with your right hand to the east, you face south, and north is behind you. A compass needle points to north. Using directions and steps, we can write a clue, like “10 steps east, then 5 steps north”.
Materials
Cost: free. Many items come from home or from waste; spare parts such as LEDs, motors and wire are in the store.
- A small compass or a phone compass (free)
- A small treasure, such as a sweet or a toy
- Paper and pencil
- Chalk
- A garden, terrace or a playground
Safety
For this project: An adult must supervise on a terrace or near a road.
Never use mains electricity: power models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Sharp and hot tools, flames and lab chemicals need an adult or your teacher beside you. Keep magnets, button cells and small parts away from young children, and wash your hands after making.
All the safety rulesStep by step
8 steps. Do them in order, and test each part before you go on to the next. Write what you notice in a notebook as you go.
Use the compass to find north and mark N, S, E and W in chalk on the ground.
Have a friend close their eyes while you hide the treasure.
Write clues like “take 8 steps north then 5 steps east”.
Write four such clues in order on paper.
Give the paper to your friend and ask them to follow it with the compass.
Check that they reach the treasure.
Swap roles and let your friend hide and write clues.
Draw a map of the hunt with arrows showing each leg.
What you should see
Your friend finds the treasure by following direction and step clues, and your map shows each leg.
Viva questions
A teacher or a judge will ask how it works. Try to answer each question before you open it, then compare.
1Where does the Sun rise?
In the east.
2What does a compass needle point to?
North.
3What is opposite to north?
South.
4Why count steps?
To say how far to go.
Take it further
Add diagonal directions like north-east to your clues.
Change one thing, measure what happens, and add a table or chart of your readings: that is what turns a model into your own investigation.
Free ebooks for this project
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