Weather Worlds.

1. Teacher Name: Deborah Regal

2. Your E-mail address: regald@isd.wash.k12.mi.us

3. School Name: Ypsilanti / Willow Run COPE, 415 W. Michigan Ave.

4. City or Town: Ypsilanti

5. State: MI 48197

6. Country: USA

7. Class Name (only needed if you are submitting other forms for other classes - i.e. 3rd period Science): MSA

8. Grade Level Middle (Grades 6-8)

9. Number of students who worked on the plan: 4

10. Your plan - describe in as much detail as possible each instrument you have included in your plan. Be sure to include information on why you selected this instrument, how each one will be built, and how you would test its accuracy if you actually were to build it (maximum words: 500)

This is the list of instruments we feel should be included.

** three plastic dual scale thermometers - to measure air temperature at ground level, three feet above ground level and six feet above groud level

** barometer- to measure atmospheric pressure to see if it is falling, rising, or steady. Barometer readings help us to forecast weather and understand how the air is moving in the atmosphere.

** wind vane - build one to measure wind direction from a compass, wooden base, wooden dowel, poster board arrow (direction indicator), and thin nail to hold the arrow on top of the dowel. A hole is drilled in the 6" square base of 1" thick wood, and the 3 foot long wooden dowel is inserted. The 6 inch direction arrow is mounted at the top of the dowel. The compass is mounted on the base. The compass gives us a reference for the wind direction based on the direction away from which the arrow is pointing.

** sling psychrometer - to measure relative humidity

** rain gauge - to measure amount of precipitation

** anemometer - to measure wind speed; wider range than cheaper wind meter

** notebook and pencils - to record observations ** disposable camera - to capture our visual observations ** map - to record data about our location

** cloud chart - to classify cloud types

** five senses - every scientist should use all senses available to him or her

All instruments will have their "test" readings compared with official National Weather Service data for our area at the times the instruments' readings were recorded. We based our list on what we need to measure the conditions which create our weather on Earth as opposed to Mars. Moisture is important on Earth, and humans are able to add their direct observations, too.

11. How do you know that the cost of the materials to build all of your instruments will be under $100.00 (maximum words: 200)? Our prices for the following are taken from the Delta Education Hands On Science Catalog, 1997. ** thermometers (12) - $10 (Extras ordered in case some break.) ** barometer - $22 ** anemometer - $35 ** rain gauge - $11 ** sling psychrometer - $3 ** cloud chart - $7 The prices for the next items are from our local discount stores. ** disposable camera - $7 ** notebook and pencils - $2 ** compass, wood, etc. for wind vane $3 ** map - free Our materials can be transported in a cardboard box decorated by students. Our total cost is $100 which sqeaks us in at budget.