Science Fair Project for 2nd grader

[nissan]

Hello,

My son wants to do project on rainfall. I am not sure how we can collect data. I saw some projects about collecting the rain in a gauge. But I am not able to understand clearly how much data he can collect.

He can collect rainfall over a period of time and results will be rain is less some day and more the other day. How can he answer how beneficial this project is to him.

How can we make this project interesting?

[MelissaB]

Hi,

I'm not sure whether or not you have a rain gauge (you can also buy them), but here is a website telling you how to put one together: http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Rain-Gauge .

I would suggest talking with your son and seeing whether he thinks there might be a difference in the amount of rain on days with different temperatures, or day vs. night, or morning vs. afternoon, or June vs. July, or... That way, you will have an independent variable. There are lots of possibilities--I suggest picking whichever one he is most interested in. Does that make sense?

[sciencediplomat]

Hello,

To add to Melissa's comments I just wanted to inform you the ways in which this project is beneficial.By recording your local measurements of precipitation they could be used for research and weather purposes.When you get your results you can use them and compare them to local standards (such as an airport) and then provide the information to local media. Also , think about the importance of water in our world.We drink it, use for washing,bathing,irrigation and many important things.All of the water we use has once been rain. Rain is a very important part of our civilization because we are highly dependant on it.This kind of experiment is very interesting because it's "citizen science" and your results are very beneficial.In some cases they are used to better handle and predict natural disasters.The websites included will explain everything in-depth.

Here are some useful links which should guide you:
http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/P7.php
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experi ... ipitation/
http://www.educationbug.org/a/precipita ... oject.html

[nissan]

Thank you so much for the reply. I will let you how it goes.

[LizzyW]

He could also do some research on farming and learn how crucial rain is to farmers but how too much can be detrimental too. Besides relying on rain for many towns drinking water, rain and the studies of rain and precipitation are also very important for farming.

Miss Lizzy
3rd Grade Science Teacher