Famous Scientists: FREE Printables and Resources About Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, religious philosopher and inventor. He was the one who laid the foundation down for the modern theory of probabilities. Pascal is most famous for creating the very first calculator. If you are learning about famous scientists or inventors you will enjoy these free resources about this famous scientist Blaise Pascal. 

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How often do you use a calculator in your home? I personally am not very good at math, and have always been thankful to have a calculator close by at all times. I know my older children are happy for their calculators when they are doing higher level math problems. I don’t know how we would live without a calculator because we aren’t very math minded in this house. 

Well, we can thank famous scientist and mathematician Blaise Pascal for the calculator! He was the inventor of the early 17th century calculator which was named the Pascaline. He was also homeschooled and never formally taught math. Pascal has a pretty interesting upbringing!

Biography of Blaise Pascal:

Blaise Pascal was born on June 19, 1623, in Clermont-Ferrand, France. His mother passed away when he was only 2 years old. He was raised by his father, who was a mathematician and his 3 sisters. His father moved the family to Paris and began homeschooling Blaise. He wanted to create his own curriculum for him to allow him to be curious and learn whatever he wanted, except for Math. He deliberately did not teach him math.

His father was afraid he would become obsessed with geometry that he did not teach math in his home! This plan backfired because when he was only 12 he started to teach himself geometry and came up with his own math vocabulary. His father was impressed and allowed him to read the works of Greek mathematicians and attend math meetings with him. 

At the age of 16, with his father, he presented his theorem of the Mystic Hexagram, to the premier mathematical thinkers of the time. In the 1640s he invented the Pascaline, which was an early calculator.

In 1646, Pascal joined the Jansenists—a group of Catholics in France who believed as Calvin did. He believed in salvation through God’s love and grace, rather than through good works.

You can read a more thorough biography of his life over at Biography.com.

If you are wanting your kids to learn more about this famous homeschooled scientist check out these FREE Printables and Resources About Blaise Pascal:

Blaise Pascal Facts for Kids – Kids Kiddle

Information on Blaise Pascal from Easy Science for Kids

Blaise Pascal Article – Kids Brittanica

Seeking After Truth Blaise Pascal – learn more about Pascal the religious philosopher with this unit study and free printable from A Net in Time.

Great Creation Scientists: Blaise Pascal – Answers in Genesis

Recommended Resource: Famous People Notebook: Scientists

Explore the life and work of 10 scientists that changed history. Our biographical unit studies include text, comprehension questions, written narration, and answers.

Pascal Science and Math Educational Activities:

Pascal’s Triangle is a mathematical triangular array. It is pretty neat to add up the numbers because each number in the triangle is the sum of the two directly above it. It reminds me of a math puzzle. 

Exploring Patterns in Pascal’s Triangle Free Printable – Math Geek Mama

Pascal’s Triangle – Kids Kiddle– Check out some really neat pictures and a moving, cartoon triangle where you can see the numbers add up.

What Do You Notice? Pascal’s Triangle Family Math Night Activity – Family Math Night

12 Days of Christmas Pascal Triangle Math Activity – Our Family Code

Blaise Pascal Worksheets – Kiddy Math

Pascal Science Worksheets – Learny Kids

Pascal’s Triangle Worksheets – Math Drills

Lesson Plan on Pascal’s Triangle – TPT

Pascal’s Triangle Printable Math Worksheet – TPT

Pascal’s Law Science Fair Experiment

Experiments with Barometers

Baromter Experiments Made by Pascal – Vacuum Science