• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.214-225
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• 2017

The first accurate estimate of the Earth's circumference was made by the Hellenism scientist Eratosthenes (276-195 B.C.) in about 240 B.C. The simplicity and elegance of Eratosthenes' measurement of the circumference of the Earth by mathematics abstraction strategies were an excellent example of ancient Greek ingenuity. Eratosthenes's success was a triumph of logic and the scientific method, the method required that he assume that Sun was so far away that its light reached Earth along parallel lines. That assumption, however, should be supported by another set of measurements made by the ancient Hellenism, Aristarchus, namely, a rough measurement of the relative diameters and distances of the Sun and Moon. Eratosthenes formulated the simple proportional formula, by mathematic abstraction strategies based on perfect sphere and a simple mathematical rule as well as in the geometry in this world. The Earth must be a sphere by a logical and empirical argument of Aristotle, based on the Greek word symmetry including harmony and beauty of form. We discuss the justification of these three bold assumptions for mathematical abstraction of Eratosthenes's experiment for calculating the circumference of the Earth, and justifying all three assumptions from historical perspective for mathematics and science education. Also it is important that the simplicity about the measurement of the earth's circumstance at the history of science.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2023

This study aims to provide a theoretical examination of symmetry and its implications for science education. For this purpose, first, we examined the way of thinking of Western science in general through ancient Greek scholars. Second, we divided the perception of symmetry into ancient and modern times. Third, we draw out the implications for science education. The results of this study show that, first, the way of thinking in Western science is 'abstraction', which began with Parmenides and was established by Plato. Second, the ancient perception of symmetry is symmetry as beautiful proportions and harmony based on abstraction, and the modern perception of symmetry is symmetry as an invariant perspective based on abstraction that seeks to find constancy in change. We examined Eratosthenes' experiment to measure the circumference of the earth as an example of ancient symmetry, and Galilean relativity or transformation as examples of modern symmetry. Third, the implications for science education are as follows. Awareness of symmetry can help educate students about the nature of science, as it is a central theme that runs through ancient and modern science. Second, the Eratosthenes' experiment and Galilean relativity or transformations are not represented in the 2022 revised curriculum, but could support understanding of science and key competencies and concepts. Finally, an integrated approach to science education centered on symmetry can have a positive impact on scientific attitudes and interest.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.518-537
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• 2019

This study examined the implications of a place-based earth science program integrated with Mathematics. 11 pre-service earth science teachers and 22 middle school students participated in the service education activities of earth science for 30 hours focusing on the measurement of the earth's size through earth science experiments as part of the middle school curriculum. In order to minimize errors that may occur during the earth's size measurement experiments using Eratosthenes's shadows length method of the ancient Greek era, the actual data were collected after triangulation ratios were conducted in the locations of two middle schools: one in remote metropolitan and the other in rural area. The two schools' students shared the final estimate result. Through this process, they learned the mathematical method to express the actual data effectively. Participants, experienced the importance and difficulty of the repetitive and accurate data acquisition process, and also discussed the causes of errors included in the final results. It implies that a Place-Based Earth Science Program activity can contribute to students' increased-understanding of the characteristics of earth science inquiry and to developing their problem solving skills, thinking ability, and communication skills as well, which are commonly emphasized in science and mathematics in the 2015 reunion curriculum. It is expected that a place-based science program can provide a foundation for developing an integrated curriculum of mathematics and science.