Build a Weather Station
Observe, measure, and report on the weather using science, maths, and writing skills.
Subjects Connected
Science
Weather types, instruments, data collection, observation skills
Maths
Measurement, reading scales, bar graphs, calculating averages
English
Report writing, descriptive language, presenting findings
Inspired by Finnish phenomenon-based learning: real-world topics, multiple subjects, one investigation.
The Big Question
"What is the weather really doing, and how can we prove it with data?"
In this project, you will become a weather scientist. You will build instruments, collect data, spot patterns, and write a professional weather report.
Science: Understanding Weather
Types of Weather
Weather describes the conditions in the atmosphere at a particular time and place. It changes from day to day and even hour to hour.
Sunny
Clear skies, warm
Cloudy
Overcast, cool
Rainy
Precipitation, wet
Windy
Strong air movement
Weather Instruments
Scientists use special tools to measure different aspects of the weather accurately:
Thermometer
Measures temperature in degrees Celsius (°C). The liquid inside rises when it gets hotter and drops when it gets cooler.
Rain Gauge
Measures rainfall in millimetres (mm). It collects rain over a period so you can see how much fell.
Wind Vane
Shows wind direction (N, S, E, W). The arrow points in the direction the wind is coming from.
Anemometer
Measures wind speed. Cups spin faster when the wind blows harder.
Think About It (See-Think-Wonder)
Look outside your window right now.
- See: What do you observe about the weather right now?
- Think: What do you think caused today's weather?
- Wonder: What would be different if you looked again in 6 hours?
Maths: Recording and Graphing Data
Recording Temperatures
Imagine you measured the temperature at school every day for one week. Here is your data:
| Day | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature (°C) | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 17 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 2 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
Creating a Bar Graph
A bar graph helps us see patterns at a glance. Here is the temperature data as a bar graph:
Temperature (°C) for each day of the week
Calculating the Average
The average (or mean) tells us the typical temperature for the week:
Step 1: Add all the temperatures: 14 + 16 + 13 + 15 + 17 = 75
Step 2: Count how many days: 5
Step 3: Divide the total by the number of days: 75 ÷ 5 = 15°C
The average temperature for the week was 15°C.
Think About It (Patterns and Connections)
- What patterns do you notice in the temperature and rainfall data?
- On the wettest day, was the temperature higher or lower than average?
- What might cause these patterns?
English: Writing a Weather Report
Weather reporters use clear, factual language to describe what is happening and what to expect. Your job is to write a weekly weather report using the data you collected.
Structure of a Weather Report
1. Headline
A short, attention-grabbing title. Example: "A Week of Warming Temperatures"
2. Summary
One or two sentences giving the overall picture. Include the average temperature and total rainfall.
3. Day-by-Day Details
Describe each day briefly using descriptive words: bright, overcast, drizzly, mild, chilly.
4. Patterns and Prediction
What patterns did you notice? What might the weather be like next week?
Example Sentences
"Monday began the week with a mild temperature of 14°C and light rainfall of 2mm."
"Wednesday was the coolest day at just 13°C, with the heaviest rain of 8mm."
"Overall, temperatures rose steadily through the week, suggesting warmer weather ahead."
Think About It (Circle of Viewpoints)
Imagine you are writing your weather report for different audiences:
- A farmer planning when to plant seeds
- A family planning a weekend picnic
- A pilot deciding whether it is safe to fly
How would the report change for each person? What details would matter most?
At-Home Experiment: Build a Rain Gauge
You can build a simple rain gauge using materials from home. This lets you collect real data for your weather report!
What You Need:
- An empty 2-litre plastic bottle
- Scissors (ask an adult to help)
- A ruler
- A marker pen
- Small stones or pebbles
- Tape
Cut the top third of the bottle off. Keep both pieces.
Put a handful of small stones in the bottom for weight (so it doesn't blow over).
Use the ruler and marker to draw a scale in millimetres up the side, starting from above the stones.
Turn the top piece upside down and place it inside the bottom like a funnel. Tape it in place.
Place your rain gauge outside in an open area. Read the level each morning and record it!
Think About It (What Makes You Say That?)
- Why did we place stones in the bottom? What problem does this solve?
- Why is the top piece turned upside down? What would happen without it?
- Where is the best place to put your rain gauge? Why?
Key Vocabulary
Temperature
How hot or cold something is, measured in degrees Celsius (°C).
Precipitation
Water that falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Average (Mean)
Add up all the numbers and divide by how many there are. Gives the typical value.
Bar Graph
A chart that uses bars of different heights to show and compare data.
Data
Facts, numbers, or measurements collected through observation or experiment.
Forecast
A prediction about what the weather will be like in the future.
Activities & Investigations
Week-Long Weather Diary (Science + Maths)
Record the temperature, rainfall, wind direction, and cloud cover every day for a week. Create a table and a bar graph for your temperature data. Calculate the average temperature and total rainfall.
Build and Test a Rain Gauge (Science + Maths)
Follow the instructions above to build your rain gauge. Place it outside and record the rainfall each day for a week. Compare your readings with the official weather forecast for your area.
Write a Weekly Weather Report (English + Maths)
Use your data to write a professional weather report. Include a headline, a summary with the average temperature, day-by-day descriptions using interesting vocabulary, and a prediction for next week.
Present Your Findings (All Subjects)
Present your weather report to your class or family. Use your bar graph as a visual aid. Explain what patterns you found and what they tell us about the weather in your area.
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding across all three subjects. Select the correct answer for each question.
Question 1 Science
Which instrument measures wind direction?
Question 2 Maths
The temperatures for 5 days were: 12°C, 14°C, 16°C, 13°C, 15°C. What is the average temperature?
Question 3 Maths
Using the data table above, which day had the most rainfall?
Question 4 Science
What does a rain gauge measure?
Question 5 English
Which of these would be the best opening sentence for a weather report?
Key Concepts Summary
- ● Science: Weather is measured using specific instruments — thermometer (temperature), rain gauge (rainfall), wind vane (direction), anemometer (speed).
- ● Maths: We calculate averages by adding all values and dividing by the count. Bar graphs make data visual and easy to compare.
- ● English: A good weather report uses specific data, descriptive language, and a clear structure (headline, summary, details, prediction).
- ● Connection: Real scientists collect data (Science), analyse it with maths (Maths), and communicate their findings clearly (English).