Metric Olympics
OBJECTIVES: All students will be able to measure length, liquid volume, time and mass using
the metric system. All students will be able to perform metric conversions and calculate the mean
of several numbers, plot data points, and solve one and two-step word problems.
METRIC OLYMPIC PROGRAM: The Metric Olympics are held once a year during a two
day time period during the school day. All seventh grade students participate, with. Select eighth
grade students participate in the role of event leader and assisting staff check the calculations of
the competitors. Students will compete in each of eight events over the course of the first day.
These events include the Sponge Volume Squeeze, Frisbee Discus, and 40 Meter Dash to name a
few. Each event has a physical component (i.e. throwing a Frisbee), a measurement component
(i.e. using a measuring tape to measure the distance thrown), and a calculation component where
students will use the measurement data that they collected to perform calculations and answer
questions that have been carefully created to match CMT-type questions. The scientific method
is stressed during each event, especially in using repetition to assure accuracy of data and the use
of tables, charts, and graphs to organize and interpret data. Metric measurement skills are
stressed in the New Haven School District seventh grade science and math curriculum. Upon
completion of the eight events, student teams (each representing a different country like in the
Olympics) will be given time to perform necessary calculations and then turn in their packet for
review. The following day in math and science classes, the packet will be reviewed to assure all
students understand how each calculation or question should have been solved. At the end of the
second day, an awards ceremony will be held in order to recognize the individuals and teams that
were most successful during the first day of the program.
Metric Olympics - Standing Long Jump
Event Description: With both feet on the starting line you are to leap forward from a still position
and maintain your balance, trying to leap as far forward as you possibly can. Try to keep both
feet together. Measure the distance from the starting line to the mark where your back foot lands
using centimeters. Each jumper will get three trials. Measure your height in centimeters as well
to help you answer question #3. Good Luck!!
Player #1 Player #2
LEAP #1 ________ cm LEAP #1 _________ cm
LEAP #2 ________cm LEAP #2 _________ cm
LEAP #3 ________cm LEAP #3 _________ cm
Average: _________cm Average: _________ cm
Measure your height: _______ cm Measure your height: ______ cm
Questions: 25 centimeters will be deducted from the best average for every incorrect answer.
1) An 8 centimeter long frog can jump 150 centimeters. Based on this knowledge, how far
would you jump if you were a 12 centimeter long frog?
2) A kangaroo can jump 9 meters in one single leap (as well as reach heights of 2 meters!!),
using player #1’s data above, how many leaps would player #1 have to perform to leap
as far as a kangaroo?
3) A flea that is just 3 millimeters high can jump more than 200 millimeters into the air.
How many centimeters can a flea jump? If you could jump 70 times your height (like
the flea) how far would you be able to leap?
Metric Olympics – Marble Mass Grab
Event Description: Each student will reach into the bucket that is filled with marbles and grab as
many as possible with ONE HAND. They will then put the marbles into the container on the
triple beam balance and record their mass. After recording the mass, count the number of
marbles. Make sure you tare the balance before each trial. Each person should complete all three
trials.
Results:
Name: ___________________________
Trial 1: _________ g of marbles were grabbed # of marbles ______
Trial 2: _________ g of marbles were grabbed # of marbles ______
Trial 3: _________ g of marbles were grabbed # of marbles ______
Questions: 15 g will be subtracted from best grab for each incorrect question
1. What is the mean number of marbles you grabbed in three trials?
Mean = ____________
2. Using the data from your 3rd trial, calculate the mass of one marble.
1 marble = _______ g
3. One bag of marbles has 30 small marbles (like the ones you grabbed) and 5 large marbles
that have a mass that is 5 times that of the small marbles. Using your calculation of the
mass of a small marble, determine the mass of the bag.
Bag of marbles = __________ g