Gauging the Rain- Homework/Family Project
Hello! As you are aware, our class has been studying weather in science.
One of the learning outcomes asks students to measure and record elements of
weather with homemade weather tools. We have already explored anemometers
(measure wind speed) and wind socks (measure wind direction). We are now moving
on to our study of precipitation.
I feel it is very important for parents to be involved as much as possible in
their child’s education so I am assigning this home family project. You and your
child will be building a homemade rain gauge to measure the amount of precipitation
we get over a ten day period. Attached you will find all the directions for the
project and a list of materials need. If you do not have access to a particular
material, please contact me and I will supply the missing materials.
Timeline:
1.
The assembled rain gauge will be due to me by Monday, October 7.
2. I will check that your child has in fact constructed the gauge and then
send it home with him/her.
3. Starting October 7, students will place their rain gauge somewhere in
your yard and record how much precipitation falls each day until
Thursday, October 17.
4. Students will submit their records to me on October 18.
If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please contact me so that
other arrangements can be made. Thanks for your support in the learning of our
young meteorologists!
Yours in education,
Miss Harris
Directions for Making a Rain Gauge
Materials:
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2 Litre Plastic Bottle
Scissors or Carpet Knife
Duct Tape
Sand (optional)
permanent Marker
Ruler
Process To Make A Rain Gauge:
1) Empty and wash out the 2 liter bottle so it's nice and clean.
2) Take the scissors or carpet knife and cut off the spout top right where the taper or
curve begins.
3) Fill bottom of the bottle with sand or water to fill the curved parts of the bottle. This
will create ballast and keep the bottle from falling over, as well as provide a good starting
point for measuring.
4) If using sand, pour in just enough water so you can see the water level above the sand.
This is called the saturation point.
5) Use the permanent marker to draw a line at the saturation point above the sand. Next
to the line write "starting point".
6) Line the ruler up (from the starting/saturation point) and draw a line for every
centimeter up to the top of the bottle. Go back and use the marker to add dots for ½ cm
spots between centimeters.
7) Take the top "cut off" spout portion of the bottle and flip it upside down. Insert it into
the bottle and use some duct tape to secure it. This part will help catch and collect the
rainfall by funneling into your bottle.
8) Bring your rain gauge to school to show Miss Harris
Taken from: http://www.weirdsciencekids.com/RainGauge.html
Gauging the Rain
Record the amount of precipitation you collect in your homemade rain gauge below.
Date
Amount of Rainfall (cm)
October 8
October 9
October 10
October 11
October 12
October 13
October 14
October 15
October 16
October 17
Return this sheet to school on Friday, October 18.