By the time students reach a middle school science course, they are expected to make measurements using the metric system. However, most students, and most U.S. residents for that matter, are not proficient with it. To determine your students levels of proficiency, try giving them the "not-so-metric measurement quiz" outlined in this article. As a follow-up to the quiz, students define terms, investigate the history of measurement in general, and report on early measurement units and tools by ancient peoples. The lesson culminates with a hands-on project where they practice their newly accquired skills by building a Metric Box.