The main aim of this lesson is to show students that distances may be determined without a meter stick—a concept fundamental to such measurements in astronomy. It introduces students to the main concepts behind the first rung of what astronomers call the distance ladder. The four main learning objectives are the following: 1) Explore, in practice, a means of measuring distances without what we most often consider the “direct” means: a meter stick; 2) Understand the limits of a method through the exploration of uncertainties; 3) Understand in the particular method used, the relationship between baseline and the accuracy of the measurement; and 4) Understand the astronomical applications and implications of the method and its limits. Students should be able to use trigonometry and know the relation between trigonometric functions and the triangle. A knowledge of derivatives is also needed to obtain the expression for the uncertainty on the distance measured. Students will need cardboard cut into disks. The number of disks is essentially equal to half the students in the class. Two straight drink straws and one pin per disk. Students will also need a protractor. The lesson should not take more than 50 minutes to complete if the students have the mathematical ability mentioned above. This lesson is complimentary to the BLOSSOMS lesson, "The Parallax Activity." The two lessons could be used sequentially - this one being more advanced - or they could be used separately.

Students learn about sound waves and use them to measure distances between objects. They explore how engineers incorporate ultrasound waves into medical sonogram devices and ocean sonar equipment. Students learn about properties, sources and applications of three types of sound waves, known as the infra-, audible- and ultra-sound frequency ranges. They use ultrasound waves to measure distances and understand how ultrasonic sensors are engineered.

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad must measure the length of the rope that will lower Digit from the ceiling to remove the voice box from a statue of Hacker.

In this lesson, students will build fluency using the language of measurement by collecting data about various plants in the outdoor classroom.

This activity is a lab investigation where students gather data about the masses of various solid objects found in a classroom. The students graph their data, compare their data, and draw conclusions about what kinds of materials contain more matter than others.

Students will use leaves to measure different plants in and around the garden.

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach fifth graders about converting meters to centimeters.

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach fifth graders about converting kilometers to meters.

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach fifth graders about converting meters to millimeters.

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach first graders about how big is a meter?.

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach fourth graders about introduction to metric measures: how big is a meter?.

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach fourth graders about adding lengths in meters.

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to give fifth graders an overview of conversion of capacity units (metric units).

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to give fourth graders an overview of conversion of capacity units (metric units).

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach fifth graders about comparing meters, centimeters, and millimeters.

In this lesson, students will measure spaces in the outdoor classroom in metric units recorded as decimals and compare the measurements.

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach fourth graders about multiplication of lengths (metric units).

This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach fourth graders about subtracting lengths in meters.

In this video from DragonflyTV, Tiana and Sammy measure, record, and analyze the results of a drop box test to find out how everyday items behave in microgravity.

CK-12 Foundation's Middle School Math € Grade 6 Flexbook covers the fundamentals of fractions, decimals, and geometry. Also explored are units of measurement, graphing concepts, and strategies for utilizing the book's content in practical situations.