How to Make a Rain Gauge for a Student

Rain gauges are used to measure precipitation.

Rain gauges measure the precipitation that falls to the Earth with each rain storm. These simple tools are great ways for students to learn about the Earth's water cycle. When rain is collected in a rain gauge it can also be used for science experiments that measure water pH and water pollution.

Things You'll Need

• Glass container with straight sides
• Ruler
• Permanent marker

Instructions

1. Use an empty bottle to collect the rain. Try recycling a glass food jar into a rain gauge. Any glass container will work fine as long as the sides are straight -- meaning there are no indentations -- and the bottom is flat. Heavy jars will be more stable in the rain, so use the largest jar you can. Remember to remove the lid and any packaging or stuffing from the jar.

2. Line the ruler up with the glass jar. Make sure the ruler's 0-inch mark is at the bottom of the jar. Then use the permanent marker to mark off inches and half inches along the outside of the rain jar. Make sure these inch marks correlate neatly with the markings on the ruler.

3. Place the rain gauge on a flat, stable surface outside. You will get a more accurate measurement if the jar is out in the open and not under trees or shrubs.

4. Measure the rain in the jar after it rains.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to mark off measurements on the rain gauge, simply tape the ruler inside the rain gauge. This will only work for a light rain. Storms are likely to dislodge the ruler.

References

• National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office: How to Make a Rain Gauge