Help my kids study the weather!

[ByFaithFarm]

We are preparing to start a science unit in a few weeks. I’m wanting to “beef up” the text book info with some real world observations. I’m planning to prepare a weather station that will include a thermometer, barometer, hygronomer, wind vane, rain gauge and anemometer.

But I want to go beyond that even and study “non-scientific” weather forecasting, moon phases and their impact and natural power sources.

I’d love to hear your favorite ways to predict weather/use natural power-from things simple enough for a 5 yr old to understand to things challenging to a teen.

Thanks so much!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What a great project! I wish I had a good answer for you - my only weather prediction "skill" is to be able to smell rain coming. I wonder why that is? I know lots of people can do it - but what is the action that makes it possible to smell it coming?

 

[wyoDreamer]

Solar dehydrator or solar cooker.
Build a simple water wheel and talk about how the power is/was used. IE. make electricity, grind grains into flour, move water for irrigation.

 

[FarmerJamie]

Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning

 

[FarmerJamie]

leaves upturned prior to a rain

 

[FarmerJamie]

ring/halo around the moon predicting rain/snow

 

[FarmerJamie]

cricket chirping rate reflecting temperature

 

[FarmerJamie]

Fish respond to barometric pressure. Too many examples to post here. A quick internet search can give you the full list, including pressure levels. Simply, degrading weather activates feeding

 

[FarmerJamie]

the howstuffworks site has a list of real animal behaviors due to imminent weather changes

 

[frustratedearthmother]

@FarmerJamie - You're full of 'em, lol! (I didn't say full of "it"!)