Sector models

Sector models are tools that make it possible to teach the basic principles of the general theory of relativity without going beyond elementary mathematics. This contribution shows how sector models can be used to determine geodesics. We outline a workshop for high school and undergraduate students that addresses gravitational light deflection by means of the construction of geodesics on sector models. Geodesics close to a black hole are used by way of example. The contribution also describes a simplified calculation of sector models that students can carry out on their own. The accuracy of the geodesics constructed on sector models is discussed in comparison with numerically computed solutions. The teaching materials presented in this paper are available online for teaching purposes at https://www.spacetimetravel.org/.