Mathematics can be fun too and that is what a bunch of eighth grade students from Bangalore realised when they were working on a project recently. Devising an innovative measurement tape that could simplify in deducing the diameter of cylindrical objects, they found out nothing was impossible if one puts in effort.
The young girls, Trisha Chandrashekhar, Abhinithi S Kumar and Divya Mungamuri who have come up with this innovative tape say that using a pie value, the diameter of very thin objects can be measured. There is no need to use costlier instruments like screw gauge. Further one can avoid calculations too. The diameter of thin rods can be measured accurately without the help of a Vernier scale (a small instrument scale for obtaining fractional parts of subdivisions on a fixed main scale of a barometer).
Innovative methodology
According to the youngsters, the method works very simply. A rolling centimetre they have developed reads the value of pie (3.14 centimetre) as 1 centimetre (in integral and fractional multiples of 3.14 centimetre). If you measure (that is roll) around a cylindrical object, the tape reads the diameter of the object directly.
Divya Mungamuri, daughter of Dhruva M and Sandhya M and resident of Thipsandra says: “I love working on maths and science projects. This was a great opportunity to show my interest. Initially I felt it would be difficult to handle the project because we were not aware of pie and how it is calculated. Our guide Lakshmi V (mathematics faculty) and Surya Narayana Rao (science faculty) helped us in knowing the significance of pie and its value. They also told us how to develop and implement the idea to measure cylindrical objects.”
She further says, “We used to work on the project during our lunch breaks and after school hours. We also used to discuss over phone, planning what to do next. Yes, science and mathematics can change the world. Daily we use these two subjects unknowingly. If we have focus and interest, nothing can be impossible” adds Divya.
Parental support
Trisha Chandrashekhar, daughter of Chandrashekhar and Jayashree Shivam said, “When we discussed this idea with our guides, they encouraged us in developing it in a systematic way. It took us one week to crystallise the idea and try it out.” She adds, “We were passionate and curious to learn about it and develop the idea. My parents were really happy and supported us in lot of ways.”
Abhinithi S Kumar agrees. “My father thought about the Autocade software, which made it simpler to find the accurate measurements. It helped us in preparing the pie tape.” she says.
“This is really a new concept. My parents are my biggest supporters. I am inviting all my friends and relative to visit the Planetarium this weekend to encourage us. We are all eagerly waiting for this weekend”, she adds.
Innovative ideas
“To the best of my knowledge, nobody has developed such a measuring tape. Young talents must be recognised and encouraged. That’s how you can draw them towards innovative ideas. Classroom learning is not enough," says Lakshmi V, mathematics faculty, Sishu Griha School, Bangalore. The cost of materials required for this project was cheap; it did not exceed more than ` 30.
“Anybody can afford this simple technique. We have to invest some time,” says Surya Narayana Rao, the science coordinator, Sishu Griha School, Bangalore. The cost for developing and marketing this idea is not huge. If any company approaches to implement it, we would be happy to work with them,” he explained.
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What does it do?
Simple innovative measuring tape.
Measurement of diameter of any cylindrical object directly.
Diameter of thin rods can be measured accurately
Where
This innovative product will be exhibited at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium from this weekend till the December 1. The materials required for the project : cloth tape (5 meters), 30 centimetre scale (steel preferably), fine point marking pencil and a fine point marking pen and self-adhesive paper roll or paper sheet.