The Rolling Race π
Here's a wheel with a red dot on its rim, sitting on the ground. If it rolls one full spin β until the dot touches the ground again β how far does it travel? Let's measure the distance in sticks, where one stick is exactly as wide as the wheel β straight through the middle, side to side. See the purple stick lying inside the wheel? That's it.
Every wheel ever π‘
"3 sticks and a little bit" β was that just YOUR wheel being weird? Or do tiny coins and giant Ferris wheels hide the same secret? Change the wheel, roll it, and add each test to your discovery table.
π My Discovery Table
| wheel size (hands across) |
distance rolled (hands) |
distance Γ· size |
|---|
π Stare at the last column. Different wheels, different distancesβ¦ but what do you notice?
The Great Squeeze π₯ͺ
2,200 years ago, Archimedes trapped this number like a sandwich β and you can do it too. Put a six-sided shortcut path inside the wheel: its corners touch the rim, but its sides cut straight across. π Click each side to measure it with a radius stick.
Mission time π¦Έ
Your new power: if you know how big across something round is, you instantly know the distance around it β and backwards too! Use the Ο machine below on every mission.
Now YOU are the teacher π
You know four ways to show someone the secret of circles. Try each way on a different person!
1. Roll & Count π
Find any wheel or round lid. Mark a spot on the rim, roll it one full turn, then measure.2. The String Trick π§΅
Wrap a string around a can, then stretch it across the top.3. The Squeeze π₯ͺ
Draw a circle with a six-sided shortcut path inside it.4. The Endless Number π₯§
Tell them its name and its weirdest fact.Taught somebody at least one way? Then claim this:
Certificate of Discovery
This declares that
discovered the Secret of Every Circle
(known to grown-ups as Ο β 3.14159β¦)
by rolling, measuring, and squeezing β
just like Archimedes, only with better snacks.