Creating your own trackways
Students can create their own trackway activities in a number of ways.
First have the students measure the size of their feet and then calculate
their leg length. Then measure the actual leg length from the top of the hip to
the ankle. Now compare the two numbers.
Creating a human trackway.
Footprints can be made and measured in a variety of situations. When
outdoors, by walking through sand, snow, or with wet feet across a dry cement
surface. Indoors, try using a roll of butcher paper and a pan of water. With
bare feet, dip the feet into the water and then walk across the paper to leave
the footprints. A dryer option, is to use talcum powder, a pan, and carpet. Put
talk into the pan and then step into the pan. Now walk across the carpet and
leave white footprints.
To be able to check your measurements try this: on the surface that you will
be using, mark out about three meters in length. Then as the person walks
across, measure the time it takes to go the three meters. Take the distance (3m)
and divide by the time to get the average speed. Now use that number to compare
to your calculated result.