MDA - Weights and Measures In the Classroom

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Weights and Measures In the Classroom

Measurement in the Classroom: A Curriculum Guide
Weights and Measures Unit

Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the
National Conference on Weights and Measures

A Message from MDA:

The Michigan Department of Agriculture is responsible for ensuring that all weights and measures used in commerce are accurate. This ensures that consumers get what they pay for and that businesses are able to compete on a level playing field.

Michigan's Weights and Measures Program, which operates under the Laboratory Division, participates in the National Conference on Weights and Measures and is active in setting uniform standards, model laws, and regulations used nationally.

For general information or to arrange for presentations, please call the MDA Weights and Measures Program at 517-655-8202.

A Message from the National Conference on Weights and Measures:

The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) is a standards development organization for weights and measures regulatory agencies, representatives of business, industry, trade associations and consumer organizations. Members of the NCWM come together for the purpose of hearing and discussing weights and measures issues related to technology, administration and education.

A major objective of the NCWM is to foster understanding and cooperation among weights and measures regulatory officials and all industrial, business and consumer interests. The Measurement in the Classroom curriculum has been developed as an educational tool for teachers to help students increase their knowledge of measurement and its relationship to the world economy.

General Information About the Curriculum

Unit: Weights and Measures
Core: Economics
Major: Mathematics
Minor: Science
Recommended Grade Level: 4th

Related materials available from:

National Institute of
Standards and Technology
Building 820
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
301-975-4003

Michigan Department of Agriculture
Laboratory Division
940 Venture Lane
Williamston, MI 48895
517-655-8202

U.S. Metric Association
10245 Andasol Avenue
Northridge, CA 91325

Resources:

Getting What You Pay For
Providing Quality Services to Consumers
Weights and Measures Consumer Tips
Metric Information and Exercises

Resources available from the Michigan Department of Agriculture or the National Conference on Weights and Measures.

Premise of Curriculum:

An economically successful marketplace is dependent upon the use of appropriate and accurate measurement standards.

Objectives of Curriculum:

1.	Identify methods and units of measurement in U.S. Customary and SI (Metric).
2.	Recognize the importance of accurate measurement in the marketplace.
3.	Students will be able to relate measurement to daily routines.

Motivation:

How much will the students know?

1.	Begin a discussion by asking how much students know about weights and measures.
2.	How does measurement affect them?
3.	How does measurement relate to marketplace products from seed to manufacturer to grocer to customer?

Contents of Curriculum


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