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Activity, Base Unit, Classroom, Collaboration, Defining Constant; Derived Unit, Education, Formal; Game, Individual, Informal, International System of Units, Measurement, Metric System, Play, Prefix, Proportion, Quantity, Scale, Sense-making, STEM, Team.
Audience:
Educators, academic coordinators, outreach ambassadors, formal, and informal
Grade Level:
K to 5th
Subjects:
Biology and life sciences, chemistry, earth science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, physical science, physics, STEM
Players:
3 to 5 persons per team
Difficulty Level:
Easy to moderate
Time:
50 minutes (adjust as needed)
The Metric Meal (option 2) focuses exclusively on length measurements and uses a multidisciplinary approach to build measurement skills. This game is designed for in-person, hybrid, and virtual learning. Connections may be made to health, nutrition, and life skills. Game item templates include a plate, eating utensils, and everyday food items, such as fruits, vegetables, and special treats. Participants may apply art techniques, such as coloring their set before gameplay begins, allowing participants to express their creativity and improve hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and focus.
Credit:
NIST/C. Whitman
The Metric Meal (Option 2) focuses on length measurements and uses a multidisciplinary approach to build measurement skills. During the activity, participants will:
Identify game objects as bigger or smaller than something else—and how much larger or smaller.
Order game objects from smallest to largest; evaluate their length using measurement tools.
Develop a feel for quantities at the centimeter scale.
Metric rulers.
Metric flexible measuring tapes.
Dry-erase paddle and marker.
Prior to the activity, the facilitator will print and cut out all game objects and customize the presentation file (Game Boards and Activity Design). The facilitator will share the background section within the presentation prior to gameplay.
Facilitator, Teams, Participants, and Scribe. The facilitator will:
Keep score on the board (or assign a scorekeeper).
Reveal the game object. Distribute the game object to teams.
Keep time (or assign a timekeeper).
Reveal the correct estimate.
Write correct answers on the board.
Awards points.
The following guidance supports effective learning and participation:
Always include the correct unit (e.g., “cm,” “kg,” “mL”) with your estimate.
Responses without a unit symbol are not eligible for points.
Observe time limits. Late or incomplete answers are not counted.
Write the unit symbol first to avoid omission.
Discuss and reflect on challenges and discoveries as a team.
Correct estimates receive the round’s full point value.
Exact matches receive triple points as a bonus.
No points are awarded for missing or incorrect units.
Timed responses encourage quick thinking and focus.
Participants may decorate or color their food items prior to gameplay to support fine motor development and focus.
End-of-game discussions provide opportunities to highlight learning progress, clarify concepts, and build measurement confidence.
Participants receive printed food item visuals and an SI plate template.
Items are arranged in order from smallest to largest around the plate.
Teams or individuals select items from a digital game board and are tasked with estimating one dimension (e.g., the side of a pizza slice).
The correct unit (centimeter) must be included in each estimate.
A timer is set (typically 120 seconds) for each round.
Teams display their final answers using dry-erase paddles.
The closest correct estimate earns points; exact estimates are awarded triple points.
The session concludes with point totals and a group discussion on learning outcomes.
Multiple teams can be awarded points for close estimates to the same question.
Extremely inaccurate estimates are not awarded points.
If a team(s) is far behind, offer them a challenge. Award triple points to any team that guesses the item’s value exactly as displayed on the game board.
