Our measurement challenges are a chance for everyone to have some fun and learn about the science of measurement. How heavy, how long, how fast, how bright....? All these measurements will be investigated and you will find out why measurement matters in our everyday lives.
This is your chance to be curious, take some measurements and compare your results. Join in, have fun and learn some real practical science!
Follow us on social media and share pictures of your tests using the hashtag #MeasurementAtHome.
These challenges are created to support purposeful and varied practical science as recommended by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and are led by Outreach Manager, Andrew Hanson MBE.
If you would like to suggest experiments we can include, please get in touch.
All our Measurement at home challenges are listed below
Read about the experiment, when NPL heated a ‘Christmas pudding’ (made from carbon) to 2,200 ºC. You may be surprised how our pudding’s heat compares to that of a snowman, a cooked turkey and a candle flame.
Find out moreHow dirty is the air near you? Is it better inside or outside? For this experiment homemade monitors measure air for a week. Though most pollution is invisible this experiment can indicate air quality. Pollution levels are a key part of the climate change issue, of which NPL is involved.
Find out moreHow much variation is there in how long containers keep drinks warm for? How much effect does a lid have? What does this experiment have to do with reducing the impact of heating houses upon climate change? Find out how to take the hot mug challenge.
Find out moreDoes ice melt fastest on land, in fresh water, or in salty water? You may be amazed with your results and observations. This challenge links to what can happen as glaciers and polar icecaps melt.
Find out moreThis challenge will ask the question: can you trust a teaspoon to give you the right dose of medicine? It will also explain how increased numbers of measurements increase precision.
Find out moreIs your dominant hand faster or slower to react? Does age affect reaction time? What is gravity? Find out with our Reaction time challenge.
Find out moreHow powerful is a candle? Is the total power (light plus heat) of a candle more or less than for a typical domestic LED lightbulb? What is meant by ‘energy efficient lighting’?
Find out moreHow much can vegetables ‘grow’ in 90 minutes? Do all vegetables change size by the same amount through osmosis and how does water salinity affect change in vegetable size?
Find out moreIs GPS better indoors or outdoors? How accurate is GPS? What is the difference between accuracy, resolution and precision? Find out how good your Global Positioning System (GPS) is?
Find out moreCan you make a 1 second pendulum? What is the length of a 1 second pendulum? Find out what is the best thing to make a bob from and why are some pendulums better than others.
Find out moreWhat is your tap water temperature? Can you use dissolving sugar to measure tap water temperature? Find out why tap water is at the temperature it is.
Find out moreAre you taller or wider? Was an ancient Roman architect right about human proportions? If you measure more than once, do you get the same value and how much taller are you after lying down for 15 minutes?
Find out moreCan you fly a piece of A4 paper exactly 3 metres? Can you design and build equipment to make this happen? Can you repeat this challenge three times? Learn how you can.
Find out moreHow fast does sound travel? Can you measure the speed of sound? NPL uses this technique to measure temperature very accurately
Find out moreHow does temperature affect bounciness? After a night in the freezer, will balls bounce more or less? This test uses the metre, which NPL measures very accurately.
Find out moreCan you dream up a new measurement unit? Metres, seconds, newtons, amps are examples of units that we all use to measure things.
Find out moreHow strong are your breakfast cereal flakes? How do you think cereal type and flake width affects break point? This experiment finds the break point of cereal flakes.
Find out moreOur research and measurement solutions support innovation and product development. We work with companies to deliver business advantage and commercial success.
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