Give an Inch, Take a Foot
Students practice measuring techniques by measuring different objects and distances around the classroom. They practice using different scales of measurement in metric units and estimation. Also, students learn how measurement is used in engineering and why accuracy is important to the design of new products.
Students practice taking measurementsCopyright Flickr https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15475450518_005ee81127_o.jpg
Measuring distance is very important in every type of engineering. Some engineers measure very big objects, such as the height of skyscrapers while other engineers measure very small objects, such as the diameter of cells. No matter what it is they are measuring, they must understand the metric system and know the appropriate units of measurement.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain why accuracy in measurement is important to engineering.
- Describe how to read a meter stick or ruler using the units in the metric system.
- Use the correct metric system units to measure different distances.