Think, Pair, Write, Share Why do we measure things? Why is it important to have a standardized system of measurement? Why do you think scientists prefer to use the metric system?

Why do we measure things? To help make sense of the world around us To determine the size or amount of something Measurement is necessary for engineering, physics, math, economics… pretty much everything we do every day!

Why a standardized system for measurement? Measurement must have a standard. A standard is an exact quantity people agree to use for comparison. A standard means two people measuring the same object should get close to the same results.

Standards of the past People used to use parts of their body to determine the length of something. The standard would be a part of the king’s anatomy. The standard yard was the distance from the king’s nose to his outstretched arm

People would use their feet to measure distance This is how the term foot came about. Today the standard “foot” in the English system is : 12 inches = 1 foot

The English system is very confusing because it has so many different values.

The U.S. is the only country that still uses the old English system Talk about going to other countries and trying to drive around using distances in kilometers

Why do scientists use the Metric System? Scientists needed an exact and uniform system of measurement they could all use and agree on The metric system is easier to use because it is based on powers of 10 each unit is divided into subunits of 10 The prefixes (milli, centi, kilo) are the same for all metric measurements

Read article: “Metric mishap caused loss of NASA orbiter” PARTNER READING: Read at least 1 sentence but no more than 1 paragraph, THEN SWITCH. Sit “ear to ear”. Practically a whisper (other groups shouldn’t hear you). Read article: “Metric mishap caused loss of NASA orbiter” (7 minutes – read then answer questions 4 & 5)

The Mistake Two different groups of scientists were working on the calculations to send a probe to Mars. One team did their calculations in the English standard and the other team did it in the metric system. (OOPS!)

This mistake caused the probe not to travel into orbit as planned and the probe was lost in space. It cost the space program 125 million dollars . It cost the scientists their time (and pride!).

This shows the importance of scientists speaking in the same “language” of measurement

Try to guess the correct answers and fill in the rest of your paper Try to guess the correct answers and fill in the rest of your paper. Then, walk around the room and correct your answers.

Exit Ticket Write your answers in COMPLETE SENTENCES. How is measurement like a language? Why is it important that everyone “speaks the same language” of measurement?