I've known several kids who loved learning about the weather. For the scientifically minded adult or child, the weather can be fascinating! What factors determine what the weather will be like? How are these factors measured?
I spent a lot of time looking for a children's weather station, but I couldn't find any that had consistently high reviews for quality and accuracy. Then I came upon something different... a Galileo thermometer! A Galileo thermometer is a cool looking thermometer that consists of different colored glass bubbles floating in a tube of clear liquid. I am no scientist, so I'm not really sure how to explain how it works, but if you want to find out (and explain it to your children... and to me...) you can read this web page. A Galileo thermometer can also be an educational project because you have to set it up yourself by adding the water and food coloring. The only thing I don't like about Galileo thermometers is that they will usually only work indoors, since most don't have a very wide temperature range... unless you live somewhere with a VERY mild climate! You might also want to explain to young weather enthusiasts that this is not the most accurate way of telling the temperature. The Galileo thermometer was invented in the 1600's, so it is primitive. In this digital age, kids are used to complete accuracy. It might be interesting for them to learn that, once upon a time, a lot of science was based on guesses!
I searched the Internet and found a few I liked. Want to see them? Sure you do!
Lily's Home Analog Weather Station
This one comes with a Galileo thermometer, a cool antique-looking hygrometer (which measures humidity. You probably already knew that.) and a glass barometer. I like it because of all of the different colors, and because it just looks fancy and scientific.
Ambient Weather Thermometer
This one may be a little more accurate than some others, because it has ten bubbles, separated by 4 degrees each. You can hang it in a window, and the sunlight looks very pretty shining through the colored bubbles.
Petite Weather Station
This one is cool because it also includes a Fitzroy Storm Glass, plus a hygrometer and s clock. There are plenty of things to learn about here. Also it looks fancy.
Which one do you like best?
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