Tellus Science Museum opens hands-on exhibit focused on measurement

Measuring may feel like math in the classroom, but at the Tellus Science Museum, it looks more like play.

A new hands-on exhibit teaches children how to measure using their own hands, feet and movement, turning a basic math skill into an interactive experience. Kids can discover how tall they are in their own feet or measure objects without relying on rulers or worksheets.

“Measurement is something you use every day,” said Amy Gramsey, director of curatorial services at the museum. “You’re measuring something to put on a wall. You want to know how long it is and how wide it is.”

The traveling exhibit, Measurement Rules, encourages children to explore concepts like height, length, weight and time through physical activity. One station allows kids to slide a marker to measure their foot size, then use that measurement to see how many “feet” tall they are.

“If you put your foot in here and slide it up and down, it measures your foot size,” Gramsey said. “Then you stand against it and move the arrow, and it tells you how many feet tall you are — using your own feet.”

Other stations introduce traditional tools like tape measures and scales, alongside creative challenges such as measuring time by counting “Mississippis.”

Educators say the exhibit helps students learn by doing.

“Anything they get to physically do themselves is a great learning opportunity for kids,” said Macie Street, a first-grade teacher with Cobb County Schools.

The Measurement Rules exhibit is open to visitors at the Tellus Science Museum through May 3.