Subject: Science

Unit: Measurement

Assignment title: Developing a measurement system

Points:  40 +bonus opportunities

Prerequisite:  any introduction to measurement activity or why measure?

Performance target:  

        Goals:  Design a unique measurement system

                Use measurements system to measure various items

Tools worksheet, out of the box thinking, other supplies based on design

Directions:

1. Use the worksheet to guide you and your partner in designing your own unique measurement system

Evidence & expectations to be met:

1. Worksheet

1. completed using full sentences, where applicable, and ELA conventions

2. Measurement system

1. object from room is the standard for the base unit
2. system uses scale divisions smaller and larger than base unit
3. units have names and values
4. as system there are clear ‘rules’ to help users make sure measurements are consistent and accurate

What are the requirements for an effective & reliable measurement system?

• There are all kinds of measurement systems.

• GDP, unemployment percentages, and home values tell us how the economy is doing
• Letters grades are used to measure a student’s success on an assignment or in a course
• Calendars and clocks are used to measure time
• Feet, meters, gram, ounces, yards, etc., are used to measure weight, distance,

YOU are designing  a length measurement system based a piece of string.

What would your system be used to measure?

 What would the units of this system be based on and called?

How would you convert between units in this system?

Answer these before you start brainstorming

When using string as your measurement device why should it be stretched tightly? _________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

A Scale Division is the smallest graduation [section] on a measuring scale, for example 1 millimeter is the smallest section on a metric ruler.  Why might scale division be important in a measurement system? __________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

How do exact units [100 centimeters always = 1 meter]  help keep a measurement system consistent or reliable?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Fill in the diagram with any and ALL ideas you two come up with

2. Go through all your ideas and HIGHLIGHT the ones you would like to use for your system

1. Consider: what object in the room are you using as your standard [base unit] It should be in with in the sizes of all the things you are intending on measuring
2. Consider how you will mark scale divisions on your string or strings

3. Map out your scale division and units

4. Now that you have your system ...take it for a beta test!

1. remember to measure items smaller and bigger than your base unit

5. Design a data table to collect the measurements of other objects in the room using your new system

1. you may need to measure objects more than once or have more than one person measure to check for accuracy in your system

6. Take pictures or VIDEO^[1] of all the action

Analysis

Based on the data collected, describe the effectiveness, accuracy, and ease of use for your base unit and the object it was based on

Look at your test data, describe how you recorded measurements that were between two whole numbers of your units.

Were there any measurements which turned out to be difficult to get using your system?

If yes, which ones and what seemed to be the issue?

Conclusions

Explain how your system works:

What parts of the system work really well [ease, accuracy, consistency] and WHY?

What specifically, made this part of the system work well?

If you were to improve upon this part of the system HOW would you adjust it?

What parts of the system should be iterated [revised or changed]?

Why do these parts need iteration?

How will you change them to make them better [easier, more accurate, and/or more consistent]?

Make a case for WHY your system should OR should not be adopted as a form of measurement in classrooms