The+Metric+System,+or+The+Standard+System...You+Decide!



= The Metric System or The Standard System….You Decide! =

Introduction:
Have you heard that there is a movement to change the way we measure and weigh objects? Two important reasons are:

1. Some countries that do not use the Standard system, as America does, are now telling us that they don't want to buy some of the products manufactured by U.S. companies if they aren't made to metric sizes and if they aren't labeled in metric units. Can you imagine the impact this may be having on our economy?

2. The failure of NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter mission. A simple miscalculation between the Metric and English units conversions caused the Orbiter to crash on Mars. Could this type of failure have been prevented?

With 99% of the rest of the world using metric, there is no chance we can persuade them to use our Standard System. Should America switch to the Metric System?

The Task:
You have been selected to participate in a debate using the information that you gather in your research and through experiments. You will use persuasive arguments either support maintaining our current system, or recommend changing to the Metric System. In addition, you will send your opinion in letter form via email to the NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal agency whose mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. Your work will help to shape their future decisions about U.S. policy!

The Process:
Detail the following information on your wiki: For 1 and 2 create a chart on your wiki where the two systems can be compared side-by-side.
 * 1) For the metric system
 * 2) Where did the system originate?
 * 3) When did it first come into wide use?
 * 4) Who uses it today?
 * 5) 3 advantages of the system
 * 6) 3 disadvantages of the system
 * 7) Identify 5 units of measurement used in this system.
 * 8) Name five real world examples of these units of measurement in use.
 * 9) Convert your five real world examples from metric to standard.
 * 10) An example of this would be 538g in a Progresso Soup can equals 19oz. of soup.
 * 11) For the Standard System
 * 12) Where did the system originate?
 * 13) When did it first come into wide use?
 * 14) Who uses it today?
 * 15) 3 advantages of the system
 * 16) 3 disadvantages of the system
 * 17) Identify 5 units of measurement used in this system.
 * 18) Name five real world examples of these units of measurement in use.
 * 19) Convert your five real world examples from standard to metric.
 * 20) An example of this would be a Cool Whip container measures 8oz. which is equal to 226g.
 * 21) Choose a position - which system should we use?
 * 22) Compose your argument in business letter form and type and save it in a Word document.
 * 23) Greeting - Dear Sirs or Madams of NIST:
 * 24) Your introductory paragraph should clearly state your position.
 * 25) Follow with a paragraph on each system that helps to clarify your position. Use your research to your benefit.
 * 26) Close by restating your position in a new way and asking your audience to take action.
 * 27) Upload your Word document to your wiki page.

RESOURCES:

 * 1) [] - US National Institute of Standards and Technology page on the U.S. standard system of measurement
 * 2) [] - Freedom 2 Measure - site defending the U.S. standard system of measurement
 * 3) [] - Fast facts on standard measurement conversions from Education Oasis
 * 4) [] - A brief history of measurement systems in an article from NASA
 * 5) [] - Online converter between systems of measurement, including some unusual or ancient units of measure
 * 6) [] - Resources for teaching measurement from AAAMath
 * 7) [] - World of Measurement is a very simple site, created by the University of Richmond for upper elementary students. There is an easy explanation of each type of measurement, and an online quiz including conversions and estimation.

Preparing your argument: Persuasive writing - http://petruccigrade6math.wikispaces.com/The+Metric+System%2C+or+The+Standard+System...You+Decide%21 Argument - [] Argue, Persuade, Advise - [] Letters - [] Developing an Argument - [] Structures and Paragraphs - [] Tone and Style - [] The Letter Generator - [] Words that introduce or appear in an argument - [] Formal and Informal writing - [] Concluding Paragraphs - []

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