On November 16, 2018, at the 26th meeting of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), a resolution was adopted that introduced historical changes into the International System of Units (SI). This decision, effective from May 20, 2019, established that the SI units of measurement will be defined by means of a set of seven fixed…

The United States is one of only three countries in the world that remain uncommitted to the metric system. Perhaps to policymakers the decision to hang on to miles, pounds, and gallons is one of tradition. However, as a physics teacher I have seen firsthand how growing up with U.S. Customary Units (commonly called by the pseudonym "British…

Plans are under way to redefine the International System of Units (SI) around 2018. The new SI specifies the values of certain physical constants to define units. This article explains the new SI in order to provide a resource for high school teachers as well as for advanced students already familiar with the pre-2018 SI.

Since much of SI is based on physics and mathematics, physics teachers have the background to teach SI. We present this review and summary in a series of SI notes in order to help teachers answer many questions about the SI that often are, or should be, asked (for example, in workshops for teachers). SI should not be considered a jargon to set…

Canadians have a peculiar relationship with measurement. They may be as obsessed with rankings, top-10 lists, and measurable outcomes as anyone else, but they complicate measurement by using two fairly incompatible systems simultaneously. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau began the introduction of "metrification" in 1970 despite fairly…

Constructing model hot air balloons is an activity that captures the imaginations of students, enabling teachers to present required content to minds that are open to receive it. Additionally, there are few activities that lend themselves to integrating so much content across subject areas. In this article, the authors describe how they have…

Examines released metric items from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the 3rd and 4th grade results. Recommends refocusing instruction on the metric system to improve student performance in measurement. (KHR)

The findings of a study of metric conversion in Canada are reported, with special attention to its impact on education. Some 40 interviews with metric education leaders in 8 provinces, coupled with an extensive review of documents and correspondence with key individuals in metric conversion throughout Canada, served as the information source for…

Looks at what the problems are in the use of quantities and units in chemistry and what has been achieved until this time. Considers quantity and amount of substance, quotients of physical quantities, composition of mixed phases, and equations with quantities. Makes recommendations for future considerations. (CW)

This prospectus proposes the development, by a consortium of states and provinces working with the Agency for Instructional Television, of television programs to teach measurement with the metric system. The scope and meaning of the metrication process are described, with affective as well as cognitive factors noted. Following a review of how the…

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)

An overview and samples of some of the materials contained in the Elementary Metric Project's curriculum for grades 1-6 are presented. Information is given concerning the adoption of the program. The sample activity sheets deal with linear measurement, mass, volume, and temperature. (MP)

A metric education project is described and evaluated. The project attempted to integrate a variety of components including grade objectives and activities, teacher training, and public relations. The report describes the model school and the target population, lists the metric education goals, and describes the project events and procedures.…

This report is the result of a year of research on a number of options available to individuals who will ultimately find themselves responsible for dissemination of metric information to educators and consumers. This document was prepared by the American National Metric Council (ANMC), an organization founded in 1973 by representatives of private…

This yearbook is an effort to reevaluate the metric system and to present testimonies from people in various occupations with respect to metric usage (as of 1948). The first of four major sections explains the metric system and its development. Next are 29 articles discussing the usage of the system in the general areas of education, science,…