Putting Your Best "Foot" Forward

Students design "rulers" using soda straws that are cut so that they are the length of their own feet. After taking certain measurements with their foot-straws, they will be challenged to further sub-divide their rulers into smaller increments so that they can make more precise measurements. This activity not only teaches rudimentary measurement skills but also introduces opportunities for the students to gain a deeper understanding of the history of measurement in past civilizations and how the pressures of progress drove the need for more refined standards. It is a fun and engaging way to introduce children to the fundamentals of measurement