Transition Year Maths Sand Circle Day 2017

Transition Year Sand Circle Day 2017

Transition year students at Sacred Heart Secondary School recently undertook a module on sand circles as part of their maths course. As circles, constructions and geometry are key elements of the maths syllabus, this was innovative and fun way to explore maths in a real life context.

The students planned their designs using the computer design software, Google Sketchup. The patterns created are all based upon circles with different regular polygons (shapes) or variants being constructed within. A circle which has a regular polygon with vertices on its circumference is called a circumcircle. Radiating from the centre of a circumcircle, a pentagon has a vertex every 72 degrees, a hexagon every 60 degrees and an octagon every 45 degrees. Look carefully at the patterns to see can you find these shapes.

On a beautiful May day, the students undertook their task, using string and sticks as giant compasses, rakes as their brushes and the beautiful Inchydoney beach as their canvas. The results were spectacular drawing much attention from locals and tourist alike. Special thanks must go to their teachers Ms Hennessy, Ms Shanahan, Mr Hanley and Mr Kiely. Thanks also to Ber Downey and Siofra O’Shea for their help. And finally a big thank you to all the transition year students who took part from idea, through planning to final creation. Well done all!