Math and science across cultures

About this book

Too often, the study of science, math, and technology is limited to the major successes of the Western world. Yet people all over the world have observed and explored nature and developed technologies to help them in their everyday lives. This book is designed to help teachers, parents, and youth-group leaders use hands-on activities to explore the math and science of different cultural traditions, and to make these subjects more relevant and approachable for children of all backgrounds. With instructions in this book, you can: Construct a Brazilian carnival instrument and investigate the science of sound--Play a peg solitaire game from Madagascar and learn about mathematical patterns--Experiment with a traditionally prepared cup of Chinese tea and learn about energy flow--Count like an Egyptian, decipher Mayan mathematical symbols, and decode the ancient Inca number system of knotted cords.