The International System of Units (SI) or the metric system contains related units which make science simpler for students and teachers. By emphasizing descriptive units, requiring unit use throughout calculations, and using negative exponents, teachers can help students have a better understanding of energy, pressure, and mass concepts. (DH)

Discusses advantages of using the joule as the focus of a teaching strategy to unify the concept of energy. Includes applications to various energy forms and use of the joule in converting constants. A set of worked problems, using relationships discussed in the article, are available from the author. (JM)