Atmosphere (Weather Studies)

Anyone living in New Zealand will be used to the wild weather we have been experiencing. Lets study the weather and learn more!

What tools can you use to study the weather using EMAP?

  • GLOBE (Global Learning Observations to benefit the Environment) is an international programme which can help you study the weather. It offers instructions on how to collect weather data in areas such as air temperature, rainfall, humidity, cloud cover and much more!

What can you do? Short, sharp science and/or mathmatical ideas!

  • Start off by getting your students to start observing the sky asking questions such as 'How many different cloud types do you see? Draw them or 'Have you got rain?' What do the clouds look like when it is raining?'
  • Record information about some aspect of weather e.g. rainfall in your local area. Use the Rainfall Curriculum Planner as starting point. If you would like to borrow a rain gauge from EMAP contact Rebecca using link at bottom of the page. A rainfall data sheet can be found by clicking here.
  • Study the air temperature of your local area using a max/min thermometer.


Equipment you can access through EMAP

If you commit to studying rainfall for a month you can apply to loan a rain gauge using the link below.


Possible Links to the New Zealand Curriculum

Level 2/3 Science-Ask simple questions, find evidence and carry out appropriate investigations to develop simple explanations.

Level 3 Science-Investigate the water cycle and its affect on climate, landforms and life.

Level 2 Mathematics and Statistics-Statistical Investigation. Conduct investigations using the statistical enquiry cycle.

Atmosphere Photo

Photo: University of Waikato

Other Project Ideas

Measure cloud cover using the GLOBE Cloud Cover protocol and the GLOBE New Zealand Cloud Chart. Use the  Atmosphere Data Sheet (use only page 2) to record your data and use the information to predict future weather patterns (see back page of GLOBE New Zealand cloud chart.

Carry out weather measurements in one area such as rainfall then visit NIWA's Climate Update Archive to compare rainfall data recorded from the previous year with your readings.

 Use the Metservice website to find a weather station in your local area and compare your weather readings with their data for a given timeframe.

Have an weather station set up in enviroschool organic garden to record rainfall or max/min temperature and compare these readings to rates of stem plant growth.

Moreover, atmosphere data is brilliant for fully utilising the ‘Maps and Graphs’ function on the GLOBE website. You are able to make comparisons with other schools around the world to learn about seasons and how the different hemispheres work. To learn more about ‘Maps and Graphs’, check out the tutorial.


Case Study of School Implemented GLOBE as a weather Study

To see how GLOBE has been implemented at Goodwood School in Cambridge click here.

Atmosphere data can be used to support measurements done in other study areas such as hydrology or soils to enhance an investigation. It can also be easily integrated into any horticultural or agricultural studies to determine when the best time to plant crops is, or with an organic garden.

The data collected through atmospheric measurements is also perfect for using for basic mathematics, and many schools then report their findings through newsletters and at assemblies.

NIWA also has a host of investigation ideas on their website. Click here to check them out!


GLOBE Supporting Resources

These are the PowerPoint (PPT) presentations that have been used in GLOBE workshops. They are useful for helping you to understand the various atmosphere protocols.

GLOBE Datasheets


Other resources


GLOBE website

'Do you know Clouds have names' downloadable GLOBE resource on clouds

Investigating weather patterns-unit plan' provides a range of activity ideas you can use to teach weather concepts to your students

To view further PowerPoint presentations on advanced protocols click here... Further atmosphere resources can be found in the Resource section of this website.

FAQs

How do I set up my instrument shelter?
There are instructions on how to set up an instrument shelter at your school, including how far your shelter should be positioned from other buildings and what direction it should face. These are downloadable from clicking here (210KB PDF). Also check out the PowerPoint presentation above on site selection and set-up.

How can we distinguish between different cloud types?
In addition to the cloud chart (1MB PDF) there is an online cloud quiz and an online interactive cloud module available through the GLOBE website. Students can also practice reading a max/min thermometer online.

How do I get involved?

Schools who are interested in carrying out a GLOBE weather investigation contact rebecca.goffin@royalsociety.org.nz