Lesson Idea | Rain Gauge Activity

Audience: Outreach, Formal, 6-8, K-5
Standards: ESS2.C, ESS2.D
Keywords: Rain gauge, measurement, engineering
Summary: In this hands-on inquiry-based activity, students face an engineering challenge based on real-world applications. They are tasked with developing a tool they can use to measure the amount of rain that falls each day.

Description

This is an inquiry-based hands-on activity that has been created to engage students in designing and testing out a rain gauge. The point of this activity is to provide a common experience from which we can illustrate engineering concepts and skills. As the new “Next Generation Science Standards” include an emphasis on engineering skills, science teachers need some examples of lesson plans that use science content as the context for including an engineering problem. Students are given a rationale for the need to measure precipitation, and then are presented with an engineering problem: “Design and make a rain gauge that can be used to measure precipitation.” They are given some easily obtainable materials and tools to use. After students have designed and made their rain gauges, they simulate rain falling, and then compare their results. The comparison of results leads to a discussion about the need for a standardized calibration system to be used to get precise measurements that are reliable. Students are then introduced to the Global Precipitation Measurement mission and learn how this mission will set the new calibration standard for measuring precipitation across the world.

Learning Objectives

- Identify water in its three different forms on earth (ice, rain clouds)
- Describe how water moves through the water cycle
- Explain the need to measure precipitation
- Use provided materials and tools to solve an engineering problem
- Realize the necessity of having a calibrated rain gauge that uses an agreed upon unit of measurement and a standardized design to ensure the reliability and validity of data collection

For further information, please visit NASA GPM website.