WHAT YOU NEED:
Empty 2-liter bottle
Tape
Small rocks
Permanent marker
Ruler
Water
WHAT YOU DO:
Cut the top off the bottle. Look for where the top curves into the side and becomes straight, and cut at the top of that straight part. Do not throw the top away.
Put a layer of stones in the bottom of the bottle to cover the uneven bottom. Add enough water to fully cover the stones and draw a line at the top of the water. That is where your ruler will start – the 0 line.
Using a ruler and your marker, make a scale on the outside of the bottle in at least half-inch increments (0.5”, 1”, 1.5”, 2”, etc.).
Turn the top of the bottle upside down (like a funnel) and tape it inside the bottle.
Set your rain gauge outside away from other objects. The goal is to only catch rain falling from the sky, not any water running off the roof, the patio table, etc. Next time it rains, your rain gauge will collect water! After the rain is done, go check to see how much you collected using the ruler you drew on the side of the bottle. After you have looked at the measurement, you will need to dump out the water and fill the bottom up again to your zero line like you did when you first made it so it’s ready to go for the next rain event.
DISCUSSION IDEAS:
Why is it important to know how much rain fell?
