Due to the lapse in federal government funding, NASA is not updating this website. We sincerely regret this inconvenience.

Browse measurement Resources

Browse measurement Resources

Rain Gauge Design Challenge

Students building rain gauges
Primary Topic: 
Weather and Climate
Subtopics: 
Water Cycle, Satellites, Freshwater Resources
Type: 
Interactive
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ESS3.A, ESS3.B
Keywords: 
measurement, natural resources, rain gauge, design
Summary: 
Use recyclable plastic bottles to build an instrument that could be used to measure rain.

Rain Gauge Activity

Rain Gauge Activity
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Water Cycle, Precipitation, Water Properties, Data, Freshwater Resources
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Outreach, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ESS2.C, ESS2.D
Keywords: 
rain gauge, measurement, engineering
Summary: 
In this hands-on inquiry-based activity, students face an engineering challenge based on real-world applications. They are tasked with developing a tool they can use to measure the amount of rain that falls each day.

Measuring Precipitation

Measuring Precipitation - picture of rain gauge
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Precipitation
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ETS2.A
Keywords: 
rainfall, rain gauges, engineering, measurement
Summary: 
This inquiry-based lesson engages students in designing and testing a device to measure rain.