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Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse
Measuring Rainwater
Lesson Description:
In this activity students create their own rainwater gauges to measure how much rain their gardens receive each day.
Eco-fact: Freshwater makes up 2.5% of the earth’s water; however, most of it is frozen in glaciers or ice caps. The rest of the water remains under the ground, with only a small fraction remaining visible above ground.
Procedure:
Adaptations:
Extensions:
In this activity students create their own rainwater gauges to measure how much rain their gardens receive each day.
Eco-fact: Freshwater makes up 2.5% of the earth’s water; however, most of it is frozen in glaciers or ice caps. The rest of the water remains under the ground, with only a small fraction remaining visible above ground.
Procedure:
- Using a utility knife, carefully cut off the top of each the bottles. (Note: for safety, an adult should prepare the bottles).
- Place one to two inches of small pebbles or stones in the bottom of the bottles to keep them from tipping over.
- Turn the bottle top upside down. place it inside the bottle to act as a funnel.
- Using a ruler and a permanent marker, mark the top of the pebbles as 0. Continue to mark measurements ¼ inch apart up the side of the bottle. make sure to label each mark’s measurement.
- Fill the bottle with just enough water to cover the pebbles.
- Place the bottle outside in an open area to measure how much rain falls on your garden.
Adaptations:
- Students can also use recycled plastic containers or jars (about 1 quart in size) and nestle them into the soil. They can proceed to measure rainfall each day with rulers.
Extensions:
- In their nature journals, students can record and keep track of the amount of rainfall. They can also compare the rainfall from spring to fall.
Lesson Type:
- Project
Sustainability Topic:
- Gardening
GEF Program Category:
- Green Thumb Challenge
Time Needed:
30 minutes
30 minutes
Materials Needed:
- 2-liter plastic bottles
- 1 or 2 handfuls of pebbles or small stones
- utility knife
- ruler
- permanent marker
Submitted By:
Green Education Foundation
Green Education Foundation
School or Group:
GEF
GEF
Contact Email:
service@greeneducationfoundation.org
service@greeneducationfoundation.org
Located in: Green Thumb Challenge Middle School