The response from the journalist who reported on this story:
Hmm.. so it looks like the students did in fact record their results in feet... *sigh*
-----Forwarded Message-----
From: "Pemberton-Butler, Lisa"
Sent: Jun 7, 2004 1:58 PM
To: Jason Darfus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: "Shooting for the Sky"
Hi Jason,
They used altimeters (sp?), but then converted the measurements back to feet, as part
of the project.
Thanks for your comments.
It was a fun event to watch.
Lisa
-----Original Message-----
From: Jason Darfus
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 8:12 AM
To: Pemberton-Butler, Lisa
Subject: Re: "Shooting for the Sky"
Dear Ms. Pemberton,
I found your article titled "Shooting for the Sky" through a Google News
search with the term "metric system". It was good to read that the 8th grade
students are learning to use SI (International System of units) in their
project, however your reporting of the altitudes reached in units of feet is
of concern. Did the students determine the altitudes in "feet" or did you
make the conversion for the story you reported? I sincerely hope the
students actually measured attained altitudes in meters and not feet
otherwise it's self-defeating.
I really wish reporters all across the country would begin using SI terms in
their stories so as to familiarize the general public with their usage. I
doubt there will be a "directive" from the Federal Government demanding
people switch to exclusive use of SI so it's up to the individuals to take it
upon themselves and decide to start the conversion at the grass-roots level.
Until folks can overcome the inertia and initial embarrassment of talking SI
in everyday life, conversion will continue to take 'forever'.
81.4 m is pretty impressive for a pop bottle rocket :-)
Sincerely
Jason Darfus
Columbus, OH
