Sundials: building knowledge in architectural physics with an university outreach effect

Abstract

This article is on the conception, implementation and follow-up of nine sundials built in public primaryschools in Curitiba within the course Indoor Comfort, career Architecture and City Planning, and within thescope of a teaching internship of two M.Sc. candidates in Civil Construction. An interactive sundial wasconceived. The user has to use the own body to cast a shadow and read the time on the ground. The mainpurpose is to serve as an exercise on solar geometry for architectural students. A high level of engagementwas observed by the students, who carried the executive responsibility and even the pedagogic responsibilitytowards the school communities. A practical activity of both pedagogic value and outreach effectiveness wasdeveloped.