If kids in grades 1-8 get only American units, and 1-4 in high school get a just a smattering of SI units, that leaves them behind when starting university. European kids are introduced to SI units much earlier.
It is not just a matter of US versus SI units; I think US kids are falling behind in science in general, irrespective of the units question. We should invest more in education, both at the high school and college level.
The last I looked the foreign enrollment in Physics at the University of Chicago was about 60%. US graduate schools are still the best in the world. But now most of those getting advanced degrees at U of C plan to return to their home countries. The future does not look bright.
Dag, I disagree that failure to converte to a metric system is a symptom of failure. Arrogance is believeing that the system you susscribe to is the corrrect one period.
I emphatically agree with Mechaniker. Our primary and secondary schools are failing to produce studesnts with the skills in mathematics, reading comprehension, and sciences to succeed in technical programs. And way too many of our community colleges have morphed into liberal arts institutions. They turn out students inable to handle the math and critical thinging necessary for technical programs.
for many years over half of the graduate students in the math and scisnece fields have been foreign students. I agree, the furture does not look good.
I’ve had those days. More often than I used to.
Reminds me the dime Steve Allen dropped on Sam Goldwyn. Said he was known for asking questions like “how many feet in a foot?” or staring at a December calendar wondering “when is Christmas?”
Don’t forget “Include me out!” Goldwyn was known for that sort of thing. If they don’t teach that in the schools anymore it’s no wonder the U.S. is lagging in science and math.
She got within two minutes of the right answer. I don’t see the problem.
The metric system is a common nickname for the International System of Units (shortened to its French abbreviation, SI).
SI is a kind of decimal system, meaning that the units increase and decrease by orders of ten.
If we can count money, we already are using the decimal/metric system…
It feels more “natural” to us, to say: This costs $5.75 than $5 and $3/4
I use tools of both systems, and feel better working with “metric’s”.
Just a comment
Regards