In this exercise, you will be creating a reproduction of one of your hands by using a scanner, computer, and black and white or color printer. Then, you will measure characteristics of your hand in order to make conclusions at a later time.

Step 1: Place your right or left hand, palm down on a scanner. Capture this image, editing any unnecessary surface space around the hand by cropping and resizing it (similar to the example to the right). 

Step 2: Clean the surface of the scanner with a rag to remove any marks that may interfere with the next person’s scanned image.

Step 3: Print the image in black and white or color. Do not place your name or any identifying information on this sheet of paper.

Step 4: Use a metric ruler to make the following measurements.
1. Use the ruler to draw a straight line from the distance from top of thumb to bottom knuckle on little finger. Use the ruler to measure this line:  ____ cm. Write this number at the end of the line you have just drawn as well.

2. Use the ruler to draw a straight line from the width of palm across 4 bottom knuckles. Use the ruler to measure this line:  ____ cm. Write this number at the end of the line you have just drawn as well.

3. Use the ruler to draw a straight line from the width of index finger, measured across the middle knuckle. Use the ruler to measure this line: ____ cm. Write this number at the end of the line you have just drawn as well.

4. Use the ruler to draw a straight line from the distance of ring finger to bottom knuckle. Use the ruler to measure this line: ___ cm. Write this number at the end of the line you have just drawn as well.
 

Step 5: Submit the completed sheet to your teacher.

Note: The hand geometry measurement portion of this activity was inspired by Valerie Graves, Deputy Director for Training Services at National Biometric Security Project Test, Research, and Data Center, 2006.