Craft Your Weather Station
Transform your backyard into a weather observation hub! Learn about different weather phenomena by building simple tools to measure wind direction and rainfall, then use them to become a real-life weather scientist.
The lesson goal is in this spark, your learner will design and construct basic weather instruments from household materials, understand how to measure and observe wind direction and rainfall, practice scientific observation and data collection skills and connect weather phenomena to daily life and environmental changes.
What You Need
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Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Introduction5 Min
- What kinds of weather do you notice most often?
- Move on when Student engages with the questions and shares initial thoughts about weather.
Photo by Péter Kövesi on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan8 Min
- Lay out all weather station materials.
- Which materials can we use for a rain gauge?
- How could we make something to collect rain?
- Which materials can we use for a wind vane?
- How could we make something to show wind direction?
- Move on when Student helps identify suitable materials and verbally outlines a basic plan for building each instrument.
Photo by Lucy Meadows on Pexels - 3
Discussion6 Min
- Why are these weather tools important?
- Move on when Student can explain the basic utility of a rain gauge and wind vane in real-world contexts.
Photo by Tosin Olowoleni on Pexels - 4
Activity9 Min
- Cut bottle, invert top, make rain gauge funnel.
- Add pebbles, attach ruler to make rain gauge scale.
- Assemble wind vane straw with arrow and tail.
- Insert paperclip through straw, attach to pencil.
- Create stable base for wind vane, add directions.
- Move on when Student has successfully constructed a functional rain gauge and wind vane.
Photo by https://kaboompics.com/ on Pexels - 5
Summary2 Min
- What was the trickiest or most fun part?
- Move on when Student shares one key takeaway or a feeling about their accomplishment.
Photo by Ulrick Trappschuh on Pexels
Personalize The Spark
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