On Mar 8 , at 8:39 PM, Jeremiah MacGregor wrote:
Why not post something about what you have done to promote
metrication and if it had a positive effect. I would be more then
willing to hear it and discuss it.
OK! That' a reasonable suggestion.
There are two main actions I have taken, one of which I still do. (You
can skip the details below, if you wish.)
ACTION #1
When I was still teaching physics (I am now retired), I let the
students know that all the work that I would do with them would be
100% SI metric, and it was.
DETAILS (if you're interested)
I sought text books that were all or mostly metric. (Early on there
were few that were totally metric, but later there were some.)
During the time when my text books were only partly metric and I was
assigning end-of-chapter problems for homework, I told my classes that
any time I inadvertently assigned a problem that involved any units
other than units of the SI metric system, they were automatically
excused from doing the problem.
My tests and exams were always totally SI.
In laboratory work, SI measures were always the only ones allowed. Of
course, I supplied the measuring devices so that was not difficult to
arrange. However, occasionally there would be a slip when some
instruments had dual sets of units. For example, until I could get
metre sticks that were totally metric (not centimeters on one side and
inches on the other), students sometimes made measurements in inches.
I had them do it over.
ACTION #2
I coordinate a program for the US Metric Association that awards
certificate for the best use of SI metric measures at over 500
regional and state science fairs (those affiliated with the Intel
International Science and Engineering Fair). While the award itself is
modest, there are several ways in which the award at least brings SI
metric and USMA to people's attentions.
DETAILS (if you're interested)
The science fair judges need to question students on their use of
metric. That makes the students more aware of metric and it sometimes
makes the volunteer judges more award of it. The students, teachers,
family and others see the US Metric Assoc. and Metric Award mentioned
in the printed program and other publicity of the science fair.
Winners of science fair awards are usually printed in local newspapers
and more people see it there.
These ways in which metric and USMA become known by people who may not
otherwise been familiar or award of them has on several occasions led
to people quite unconnected with science fairs having contacted me or
USMA headquarters for help, metric materials, and information.
(Companies that were interested in doing some work in metric have
benefited by the help USMA can provide; where to buy metric parts and
fasteners for example).
Regards,
Bill Hooper
Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA
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SImplification Begins With SI.
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