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Cub Scout Adventures > 
Arrow of Light >
 Estimations AOL > 
What is a Theodolite?
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Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Estimations AOL
Elective
Requirement 3

What is a Theodolite?

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Estimations AOL
Elective
Requirement 3

What is a Theodolite?

Snapshot of Activity

Create a theodolite to estimate the height of an object. 

Outdoor
3
4
3
If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.
  • Protractor Template found in Additional Resources 
  • 8 ½ x 11” white cardstock, 1 piece will print 3 protractors 
  • Printer 
  • One sheet of paper for each Cub Scout 
  • 20” long string, one for each Cub Scout 
  • Metal washer, one for each Cub Scout 
  • Measuring tape, enough to share  
  • Scissors  
  • Hole punch, enough to share 
  • Tape 
  • Pencil, one for each Cub Scout  
  • Paper for calculation, one for each Cub Scout  

Before the meeting: 

  1. Print the Protractor Template on card stock and cut them out.  There are 3 protractors on the template.  
  2. Become familiar with a theodolite by watching this YouTube video How it Works: Theodolite. (2 minutes, 1 second)   
  3. Build a sample theodolite using the directions below. 
  4. Find an area with tall items to measure such as trees, flagpoles, or tall buildings with a distance to walk away from the tall items in a safe manner.  
  5. The meeting space should include a spot to sit to build the theodolite and tall items to measure (trees, buildings, flagpoles).   

During the meeting: 

  1. Ask Cub Scouts if they know the use of theodolite.  Show them a picture or video of a theodolite. Ask them what they think it measures.  
  2. Explain that the theodolites in the pictures and videos are digital and use laser technology to measure distances.  The theodolite they build today will be paper.  
  3. Build a theodolite.   
    • Take the protractor and punch a hole through the center.  
    • Loop the 20-inch string through the hole and put the washer onto the string before tying the loop. 
    • Roll the piece of paper so that it is about 2” in diameter. Tape it in place.  
    • Line up the ends of the index card with the paper tube and tape the index card in place. 
    • Look at the top of something tall through the paper tube  
    • Move either forward or backward until the string falls at 45 degrees.  
    • Now measure the distance to the object along the ground from the spot you stopped.  
    • Add the distance to the height of your eye level, and the result is the object’s height! 
  4. Model using theodolite to calculate the height.    
  5. Allow Cub Scouts to attempt calculations on their own.  Guide the Cub Scouts as they try to measure the height of objects.  

Additional Resources

Protractor Template

Other Activities Options

You can choose other activities of your choice.

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade

Stick Method

Outdoor
3
2
1

Use a stick to estimate the height of a tall object. 

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Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.