Kids will enjoy learning about weather while they help construct these crafts.
Learning about weather is an exciting subject for elementary school--age children. Try a hands-on approach to science by making some basic weather instruments to get kids involved and to promote a better understanding of how weather affects them. Most instruments can be made with a few inexpensive materials that you probably already have on hand. Kids will enjoy constructing the instruments as much as they will enjoy using them. Be sure to supervise children while you put together your weather crafts.
Instructions
Rain Gauge
1. Clean your plastic container with soap and water, and remove any labels or stickers. Dry thoroughly.
2. Place your ruler upright inside the container with the smallest measurement toward the bottom.
3. Draw marks with the permanent marker on the outside of the container at 1/2-inch intervals, using the ruler as a guide. Mark each line appropriately, for example, .5 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, etc. Children can decorate the container at this point, but be sure to leave a window around your measurement markings so you can see and record rain results.
4. Place your rain gauge outside in an open area where it can catch any rainfall. A picnic table or other flat surface where it will not be disturbed is ideal.
5. Bring the gauge in after a rainfall and allow children to measure the results. You can record them on paper if you like. Empty the gauge and place it back outside to record the next rainfall.
Barometer
6. Cut a piece of plastic wrap that is slightly larger than the mouth of your jar or coffee can. The plastic wrap should fit over the top and have about a half inch of overhang all the way around.
7. Stretch the plastic wrap tightly over the top of your container, taking care not to tear any holes in it. Secure the plastic wrap in place with the rubber band. The trick is to create an airtight seal.
8. Lay your straw horizontally on top of the stretched plastic wrap. Position it so that about 1/3 of the straw is not resting on the container. Secure your straw by taping it to the plastic wrap.
9. Observe the movement of the straw as air pressure fluctuates. High pressure causes the plastic wrap to cave in and the end of the straw to move up. Low pressure causes the plastic wrap to puff out, causing the end of the straw to lower.
Thermometer
10. Add equal parts rubbing alcohol and water until your water bottle is 1/4 of the way full.
11. Add 2 to 3 drops of food coloring to the alcohol mixture.
12. Break off a piece of modeling clay that is slightly larger than the mouth of the water bottle. The clay will serve as your bottle stopper. Stick one end of the plastic straw into the center of the modeling clay, embedding it about 1/4 inch into the clay so it is secure.
13. Insert the plastic straw into the bottle, clay-covered end up, making sure the straw doesn't touch the bottom. If it's too long, use scissors to cut some length off of the straw or push it further into your modeling clay. Mold the modeling clay around the mouth of the bottle to create a seal.
14. Place two hands around the bottom of the bottle. The mixture will warm up and expand, pushing it up into the straw. This is similar to what happens with a real thermometer.
Tags: plastic wrap, modeling clay, will enjoy, about weather, causes plastic