Let’s change to the metric system
By Paul N., James D. and Vince R.

America should convert to the metric system because it is simpler. Our system is much more confusing than the metric system. The metric system goes by tens, which is much easier to count by; our system goes by six, twelve, and so on. For instance, here is a math problem to prove my point. There is an alley five feet wide, how many inches does that equal? Or, the alley is five meters wide, how many centimeters does that equal? Now you tell me which is easier. (Paul N.)

In the metric system 1 cubic centimeter equals 1 gram and 1 liter where in the U.S. system nothing is like that. For the metric system the basic measurements are meters and liters whereas in the customary system it could be a couple of numbers. Plus most people in the U.S. don’t even know all of the customary system, such as what a bushel equals. (James D.)

The metric system can be hard to some, but it is easier to a lot more people. The metric system is easier to learn and easier to use because it’s based on tenths, hundredths and thousandths. With our system, it’s based on numbers that are totally different. We have weird numbers like 12, 3, 5280, and 16. The world’s system is better than ours.(Vince R.)

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

NASA PRESS RELEASE Sept. 30, 1999
MARS CLIMATE ORBITER TEAM FINDS LIKELY CAUSE OF LOSS

A failure to recognize and correct an error in a transfer of information between the Mars Climate Orbiter spacecraft team in Colorado and the mission navigation team in California led to the loss of the spacecraft last week...

"People sometimes make errors," said Dr. Edward Weiler, NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Science. "The problem here was not the error, it was the failure of NASA's systems engineering, and the checks and balances in our processes to detect the error. That's why we lost the spacecraft."...

Preliminary findings indicate that one team used English units (e.g., inches, feet and pounds) while the other used metric units for a key spacecraft operation. This information was critical to the maneuvers required to place the spacecraft in the proper Mars orbit. "Our inability to recognize and correct this simple error has had major implications," said Dr. Edward Stone, director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "We have underway a thorough investigation to understand this issue."

Translate this story.

Is blizzard day cool or not?
By Lyndsey M.

Well is blizzard day cool or not. I asked some kids in the sixth grade what their opinions were about getting rid of blizzard day and adding another hot lunch. My opinion is that even though I like blizzards, I also like having two hot lunches. I thought blizzard day was fun and different. It was a nice change to be able to buy ice-cream. But then again it is just ice-cream and hot lunches are ten times better then blizzards were. They are very expensive. For the same price you can buy a slice of pizza and a drink, and more kids buy hot lunches than blizzards so the school makes more money

Stephanie J.
I like having two hot lunches better then a blizzard day.

Nick T.
I like blizzard day and hot lunch it is cool to have both.

Liz I.
I liked blizzard day better because now all we get is gross pizza.

Kim C.
Fine. I really don't care. Hot lunches aren't great but I hate ice cream.

John S.
Keep blizzard day. It has good ice-cream.

Alyson K.
It is a good idea to have two hot lunches. The ice cream selection wasn't that good.

Gio C.
Keep blizzard day. I love blizzards and who needs two hot lunches.

Lauren S.
I am not sure blizzard day was nice, but I like hot lunches a little better.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.