Weather instruments, such as a wind sock, help scientists learn about weather.
Weather instruments are used to measure the atmospheric conditions and effects. There are many tools you can make at home to learn about the weather. These tools would be a good summer science project, work well in a unit on weather at school or benefit a home-schooled student. Tracking daily readings can help students understand the pattern of weather, while comparing the results to past year's figures or averages emphasizes the long-term effects of weather.
Instructions
Rain Gauge
1. Find a clear glass or cup you can place outside. A water bottle with the top cut off can work as well.
2. Use a marker to draw increments on the side of the bottle. Start by marking ¼-, ½- and 1-inch lines on the bottle. This will tell you how much it is has rained since you last checked it.
3. Place the bottle outside where it can collect moisture. Placing the bottle inside a flowerpot with rocks around it to hold it upright can prevent it from being blown down. You also can create a mount and attach it to a porch railing or other structure. The main point is to keep it from tipping over.
4. Check and record the rain levels each day to track the amount of rainfall. Empty the bottle after you check it. For accurate results, check the bottle at the same time every day.
Wind Sock
5. Cut fabric into a 12-by-18-inch rectangle. Cut 12 strips of fabric, 1 inch wide and 18 inches long. It is best to use nylon or another weather-resistant fabric.
6. Hem all of the pieces of fabric.
7. Sew the 1-inch strips to the 18-inch side of the bigger piece of fabric. The strips should be evenly placed along the length of the material. Then sew the 12-inch sides together, so you have a tube with the strips dangling down.
8. Tie three 12-inch pieces of string to the top of the windsock. Tie them together and attach them to a longer piece of string.
9. Hang the windsock from your house or a pole in your yard. Record the direction of the wind at various times during the day.
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