Elizabeth Benham on the Metric System and Measurement

LINK: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tkDRfctn7HZOgICEGmzrD?si=62fd2760f87b48ac

Episode Description

Elizabeth is the leader of the Metric Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, also known as NIST, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In this role, Elizabeth serves as the national advocate for the International System of Units, known as the SI, in the United States.

Our timing could also not be better, as this episode will air during Metric Week in the United States! October 5 - 11. 

 Highlights of the episode:

*Susan introduces Elizabeth and today’s topic [1:43];

*What led Elizabeth to pursue a career in metrology [3:06];

*Origins of the metric system [12:15];

*Metric system prefixes over the last 150 years [15:12];

*Structure of the metric system — the units, constants, and prefixes [17:26];

*Replacing the final physical objects of the metric system in 2018 [19:24];

*Conventional versus the Kibble balance and impact on measurement accuracy [21:33];

*The Metric Program and everything Elizabeth does as leader [26:55];

*Metric system misconceptions [30:09];

*Examples of the metric system in everyday life [33:40];

*Visualizing volume with the metric system [37:27];

*Science literacy and the metric system [39:08];

*Importance of standardization in science and measurement [41:30];

*Resources for students and teachers [43:50];

*US Metric Association awards [48:56]; 

*NIST internships and professional development programs for middle school teachers [51:30]