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    • Soil Protocols >
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      • Tree Height, Diameter and Population Density
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Equipment Protocols

Many of our activities require you to make your own scientific equipment using household and classroom materials. Here you will find protocols that not only teach you to construct your tools in a step-by-step manner, but teach students how to use them by means of simple yet educational activities.

Clinometers

Two common types of homemade clinometers
Clinometers are simple devices that measure the angle of a slope, but can also be used to estimate the height of tall objects (such as trees or buildings) with only some rudimentary geometry. Clinometers are utilized in our Soil Site Selection, Tree Height vs Diameter, and Population Density Effects protocols. 

Our Clinometer Construction and Use protocol explains step-by-step how to construct the two types of clinometers seen in the image left. It also walks through the use and application of your clinometer, including both height and slope calculations. 

Our Clinometer Use Worksheet (W-E-01) walks students through an activity to measure the height of a tall object. We suggest using this brief exercise to teach the basics of clinometer use before embarking on data collection.  

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