We're the only country that never adopted the metric system, fundamental vocabulary for science literacy. Foreigners know that 1000 meters are in a kilometer by the time they reach first grade. Our kids will never learn fractions, never mind that there are 1.61 kilometers in a mile! Learning fractions, a basic math concept, is easy when everything is divisible by 10, but fractions in our country are awkward and frustrating. Our system is so convoluted and outdated that students learn to hate math and science at a young age. Adopting the metric system would allow our teachers to focus on real science and inspire our youth. Thousands of jobs would be created in the conversion effort. Manufacturing companies would inherently meet international standards to compete worldwide. It's time!



