Once everyone in the group has poured, marked, and labeled the 60 mL amount, have students repeat steps 1 and 2, increasing the amount each time by one measuring cup worth.Have each student mark the water level with a marker on the side of their container, and label the water level at 60 mL.Repeat until everyone in their group has filled their containers. Then, have the students pour the water into their own container. Have students take turns to fill the 60 ml (1/4 cup) measuring cup with water from the bucket.Hand out a plastic container to each student.Set up 5 tables with a measuring cup (60mL = 1/4 cup), 2 waterproof markers and 1 bucket of water at each table.What role might evaporation play over time? What could effect rainfall into the gauge? What could increase or decrease it an effect accuracy of the results? Where is a good place to set up the rain gauge? In the open? Under an overhanging roof? Unger a tree? Optional: 5 of 5 ml ( 1 tsp) and 5 of 15mL ( 1TSP) Tsp measuring spoon for a more detailed level of precipitation measurement & smaller plastic containers ( 350 ml) They are used by scientists to predict how much water we will have in stored in our reservoirs and to predict how much water we can use in dryer periods.ĭescribe what a rain gauge is and how it works.ħ50 mL plastic container (yogurt container, jar or other, opening should be same size as body)

Rain gauges are great tools to use for monitoring changes in precipitation over time.

In Vancouver, the rainy season is winter and very little rain falls during the summer.

It is used for determining the depth of precipitation (usually in millimeters ) that occurs over a unit area and thus measuring rainfall amount. The rate of precipitation varies seasonally and regionally.Ī rain gauge (also known as an udometer, pluviometer, ombrometer, and hyetometer) is an instrument used by meteorologist (scientist who study weather) and hydrologists ( scientists who study water) to gather and measure the amount of liquid precipitation over a predefined area, over a period of time. It can happen as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Precipitation is the process occurs when water falls from clouds to the ground. This can be used to measure the rate of precipitation in their neighbourhood. In this activity, students create a Rain Gauge to place outdoors.

Rain measuring meter