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_____________________________________________________________________Earth Scientists

Benjamin
Banneker
Astronomer ___________________________________________
On November 9, 1731, Benjamin Banneker was born to a black freeman and his wife on a farm in
Maryland. Young Benjamin was a quick and avid learner. He taught himself to read. Although he attended
a Quaker school for a few years, Benjamin Banneker was mostly self-taught.
One example of his special talents can be seen in his clock-making ability. Benjamin was an adult when
he first saw a watch; a traveling salesman let him borrow his timepiece. By the end of the week, Benjamin
had accurately dismantled and reassembled the watch. He had drawn sketches of every wheel, gear, and
spring and went on to make his own watch. Each piece of the watch was carved out of wood.
When Benjamin Banneker was given some crude astrological instruments and some books on astronomy,
he taught himself how to use the devices. During his reading, Benjamin discovered errors in the books.
Between 1792 and 1802, he published Benjamin Bannekers Almanack. It was the second most popular
book in America at the timethe Bible was firstand it was nicknamed the poor mans encyclopedia.
Benjamin also used his math skills to help plan the city of Washington, D.C.
Benjamin Bannekers many accomplishments lay dormant for some years after his death in 1806, when
scholars unearthed and read his letters, almanacs, and journals. Only then was the scope of his diverse
achievements fully realized. Banneker was indeed a man ahead of his time.
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Benjamin Banneker ___________________________________________________Earth Scientist

Suggested Activities
1. Mechanical Movement Devices. Gather some old wind-up clocks and watches and give one to
each group of students. Direct students to carefully remove the outer casing so that they can observe
the inner workings of the timepiece. Allow groups to do any combination of the following projects.
Draw a picture of the gears and wheels as they appear in the timepiece.
Compare the groups diagrams. How are they alike? How are they different?
Explain how a clock works. After groups have written their explanations, tell them to compare
what they have written from a scientific viewpoint.
Identify the simple machines in a mechanical clock (wheel, lever). Make a list of some common
tools and gadgets that contain wheels and/or levers.
2. Clockwise. Ask students to suggest reasons why clocks run clockwise. After a discussion of
reasonable answers, make sure the correct answer has been established. (Before clocks were
invented, people used a sundial to tell time. In the Northern hemisphere, shadows cast onto the
sundial by the sun rotated in what we now call a clockwise direction. When clocks were built, hands
were made to mimic the movement of the shadows.) Read Annas Sundial by Mitsumasa Anno
(Philomel Books, 1987) to learn more about sundials.
3. Make a Sundial. Provide each group with the following items: one sheet of white tagboard or
construction paper, a cardboard 6-inch (15 cm) right triangle, magnetic compass, compass (to draw
an arc), and glue. Challenge them to make a sundial using only the items they have been given. (See
diagram at right ) KIT
Directions: Fold the triangles flap; glue it to the center
of the paper. With a compass, draw a curved line from
two corners of the paper to the triangles base. Position
the magnetic compass so that the tall side of the
triangular base points north.
Extension: Place the completed sundials in the sun.
Every hour, mark and label the suns shadow in its new
position as it crosses the curved line. The following
day you can use the sundial to tell time.
4. Stargazing. Learn about the constellations and how to view them. A very informative book on
beginning astronomy is The Stargazers Guide to the Galaxy by Q.L. Pearce (RGA Publishing
Group, Inc., 1991).

Teacher References ____________________________________


Burns, Marilyn. Math for Smarty Pants: Or Who Says Mathematicians Have Little Pig Eyes? Little Brown, 1982.
Software: Learn About Astronomy. Tandy/IBM Compatible. DOS 2.0 or Greater. Comedia, Inc. #TC29934.
Student Reading
Conley, Kevin. Benjamin Banneker: Scientist and Mathematician. Chelsea House, 1989.
Ferris, Jeri. What Are You Figuring Now? A Story About Benjamin Banneker. Carolrhoda Books, 1988.
Moeschl, Richard. Exploring the Sky: 100 Projects for Beginning Astronomers. Chicago Review, 1989.

#493 Focus on Scientists

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