Context

Theoretical Introduction

The International System of Units (SI) is an internationally adopted measurement system used in all fields of science. The SI consists of seven basic units of measurement that define fundamental physical quantities. In addition to these seven, there are also various multiples and submultiples of these units, created to express quantities that are too large or too small to be conveniently represented by the base units. These multiples and submultiples are defined by the SI prefixes.

SI prefixes are always based on powers of 10. To express a unit in terms of its multiple or submultiple, the prefix is added to the unit. For example, a kilogram means 1000 grams, because the prefix 'kilo' means 1000. On the other hand, a milligram means one thousandth of a gram, as the prefix 'milli' is equal to 1/1000.

Understanding these prefixes is vital to be able to express quantities precisely and in an easily understandable way. Furthermore, the ability to convert between different multiples and submultiples of units is also a fundamental skill in exact sciences.

Context

Our world is full of practical examples where SI prefixes are used. You check your bank account and see the amount in thousands of reais, you travel a distance of hundreds of kilometers, your cell phone screen is microns thick, and your computer's memory is measured in gigabytes. In all these cases, we are using SI prefixes to express quantities in a way that is easy to understand and compare.

The importance of understanding these prefixes and their applications goes beyond everyday life. If you are interested in any career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, understanding and being able to correctly use SI prefixes will be fundamental to your success. It is a basic concept that applies to all scientific disciplines and any technology you can imagine.

Practical Activity

Project Title: 'The World in Scales: Understanding SI Prefixes'

Project Objective

The objective of this project is, through a practical activity, to promote the understanding of the prefixes of the International System of Units (SI) and the ability to perform conversions between multiples and submultiples of the main units of measurement. In addition, the project will promote collaboration, time management, and other socio-emotional skills.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members and will be challenged to create a 'Scales Game.' This game will involve the development of a board that contains different levels of scales (representing different units of measurement), pieces that advance according to unit conversion challenges (e.g., 'Advance 2 spaces if you can convert 5 kg to grams'), and challenge cards involving the everyday use of SI prefixes.

Required Materials

• Cardboard or similar material for making the board
• Figures, stickers, or materials to customize the game
• Colored cardstock for making challenge cards
• Dice to conduct the game
• Markers for the players' pieces

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Research and Planning (2 hours): Groups should research the SI prefixes, their applications, and how they are used in everyday life. They should analyze various examples and discuss ideas for the game board, rules, challenge questions, etc.

2. Board Creation (3 hours): Groups should create a game board representing levels of scales (e.g., from 'milli' to 'mega'), draw the path that players will follow, and customize the board with figures or stickers related to the theme.

3. Creation of Challenge Cards (3 hours): Groups should create a set of challenge cards with questions involving SI prefixes, unit conversions, and practical everyday situations.

4. Piece Construction and Final Preparation (1 hour): Finalize the game by creating the pieces that will represent the players, producing a die, and organizing all the necessary materials to play.

5. Game Testing (1 hour): Groups should test the complete game to ensure that everything works as expected and that the game is fun and challenging.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, each group is expected to deliver a presentation of their game 'The World in Scales' and a written report.

1. Game Presentation (duration of about 15 to 20 minutes): Each group will present their game, explaining the rules, demonstrating how the scales were incorporated into the board, how the challenge cards were created, and how the game promotes understanding of SI prefixes.

2. Written Report: After completing the practical part of the project, groups should prepare a report containing four main topics: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

• Introduction: At the beginning, students should contextualize the theme of SI prefixes, the relevance and application in the real world, and the objective of this project.

• Development: This topic should explain the theory behind SI prefixes, detail the activity carried out, indicate the methodology used to create the game, and present the results obtained, such as the difficulties faced and overcome, decisions made, and how the concepts of multiples and submultiples were applied in the game.

• Conclusions: Students should summarize the main points, explain the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about the project. Reflection should be made on how the game helped in understanding SI prefixes and in the ability to perform unit conversions.

• Bibliography: Finally, students should indicate the sources they relied on for the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

The project must be delivered within one month from the start date.