Weather Activities for Middle School Students
Help your middle school students understand the tools that meteorologists use to predict the weather while also helping them expand their knowledge of how weather works. Creating weather forecasting tools and weather phenomenon in the classroom helps solidify the students' understanding of the natural world.
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Rain Gauge
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Use a rain gauge to measure rain or snowfall over the course of a week or longer. Cut a 2-liter bottle in half, discarding the bottom half. Set the spout of the cut bottle on top the spout of a second uncut bottle. Wrap tape around the two spouts, securing the two bottles together. Cover the open end of the cut bottle with a pieces of mesh screen material, taping it in place. Pour in just enough cooking oil to coat the bottom of the bottle. The oil prevents the water from evaporating before you can measure it. Mark the side of the uncut bottle in ¼-inch increments, using a permanent marker. Set the gauge outside in a clear area. Check it daily, recording the amount of moisture collected inside.
Clouds In a Bottle
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Supervise this experiment closely, as a lit match is involved. In larger classrooms or with young middle school students, perform the experiment for the class then have them deduce what is occurring to form the cloud. Fill a glass jar with 2 inches of water. Drop a lit match into the jar then immediately cover the jar with a plastic bag. Seal the bag to the jar opening with a rubber band. Push the bag into the jar then pull it back out, creating pressure in the jar. Within a few moments a cloud forms inside the jar. Pushing the bag into the jar causes air pressure. Once the bag is pulled out the pressure decreases, causing water molecules to adhere to the smoke particles in the air, forming a cloud.
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Wind Vane
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Cut a 3-inch wide arrow point from heavy paper. Tape the point to one end of a plastic drinking straw. Make a tail for the arrow out of paper and tape it to the opposite end of the straw. Push a straight pin through the center of the straw and into a pencil eraser. Place the wind vane in a clear area outside, pushing the tip of the pencil into the ground to hold it upright. The arrow turns freely on the straight pin, allowing students to record the wind direction.
Barometer
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A barometer measures air pressure. Low pressure means an increased chance of precipitation, while high pressure means a decreased chance of precipitation. Fold a piece of duct tape over the edge of an empty coffee can, covering the sharp rim. Cut the the filler hole off a balloon. Stretch the remaining balloon over the top of the coffee can then secure it to the rim with a rubber band. Place a dot of glue in the center of the balloon. Position a wooden coffee stirrer on the dot so 1 inch of the stirrer protrudes beyond the rim of the coffee can. Tape an index card to the side of the can next to the where the coffee stirrer protrudes. Mark the card where the coffee stirrer is sitting. Set the can outside in a protected area. Check it throughout the day. As the pressure rises, the balloon partially inflates and lifts the stirrer. When the pressure drops, the stirrer also drops. Mark the stirrer's location throughout the day to record the rise and fall of the air pressure.
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