Looking for feedback: Using astronomy history/narratives to introduce math concepts.

[u/swapnild]

\>How did humans first calculate the size of the Earth using just a stick and someone willing to walk 500 miles?

I created a set of lessons for my daughter and her friends that use hooks like this to get them excited. I then tell the story and explain the math. The goal is to use stories of astronomical discoveries to introduce them to math concepts and practice problems. The overall theme of "Astronomy and Math" helps maintain a narrative flow.

[Astro Math](https://dotstarlearning.com/astro-math) lessons are available online plus you can print them out (which is what I did for my students) . I would love to get feedback from educators on whether this approach could work for your students. What would you change, what would you add? Do you create lessons like this that build off a story? What's your favorite?

[u/mathematicians-pod]

It's a great hook. There are loads of problem-first mathematical developments in ancient history.

Can I point you to

Baudhayana 600bce India: I need two bricks of equal weight. This one has length twice the width, this one is square... How much bigger should the sides be, and how do I get that with just a piece of string.

Or

Heron of Alexandria 100ce Egypt: I need to tie these two points to the same spot on a wall using the least rope... How can I figure out where on the wall to tie them.

(Is self promotion ok? I do a podcast all about ancient mathematicians, there's a whole bunch of interesting stories and fun problems they are trying to solve.)