The mathematical modeling process is also a powerful way to teach students the meaning of data. In mathematical modeling, students are collecting data to answer a question. Data collection is the means to an end and not the end in itself. The author was looking for an engaging way to introduce his third-grade mathematics class to the skill of measuring with precision to a quarter inch. The question that he posed to students was, "How many times can a pencil be sharpened before it is too small to use?" The Pencil problem can be implemented in any classroom. This activity is perfect for small groups of students to work together. Students can engage with this task in many ways. This task can be scaffolded to allow students who are struggling with certain elements of the project to participate meaningfully. Through using the targeted skill repeatedly to answer a meaningful question in their everyday lives, students acquire and strengthen mathematical capabilities more readily than when they are introduced in isolation.