From classrooms to laboratories, the global push for better education on the International System of Units (SI) is vital for building the next generation of metrologists — and improving scientific literacy for all.

At the BIPM’s Scientific Symposium, held during the 150th Anniversary of the Metre Convention, Ms Elizabeth Benham of the United States’ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) presented a poster entitled “Building the Next Generation of Metrologists: Opportunities to Improve SI Education and Scientific Literacy at 150 Years and Beyond.”

Her presentation explored systemic challenges in SI teaching across age groups and made the case for a globally coordinated effort to improve learning outcomes, beginning with clear, consistent messaging.

Two examples of hands-on resources highlighted in the poster include the SI Units Card Deck and DIY Kibble Balance. Ms Benham explained that through resources like these we can make abstract concepts more accessible and fun — and therefore make measurement science engaging and intuitive for everyone from early learners to seasoned professionals.

The Poster

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Listen to a 2-minute audio recording of Ms Benham explaining the poster, here.

The poster was co-authored with Katrice Lippa, Chief of the NIST Office of Weights and Measures, and drew from their collective experience leading the NIST Metric Program.

Watch Elizabeth Benham’s Presentation

Watch all 9 poster presentations at the BIPM 150th Anniversary Scientific Conference on the BIPM YouTube channel.