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Archive: January 2016 (9 Posts)

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Primary Sources in the Science (and Math) Classroom: Thomas Jefferson’s Measurement Problem

Posted by: Danna Bell

Jefferson's search for a tool to measure distances he traveled in a horse-drawn carriage was just one of his many efforts to quantify and logically describe the natural world. He also wrote a report on weights and measures, kept copious weather records, and created a chart detailing the fruits and vegetables sold at a vegetable market throughout the year. A closer look at Jefferson’s notes about odometers presents a range of possibilities for engaging students in mathematical reasoning and problem solving.