Our Instruments
Every instrument we use — from handmade cups and cardboard to electronic sensors. We built most of Stage 1 ourselves; Stage 2 uses chips programmed with our mentor.
Rain Gauge
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Stage 1 — Handmade
Our rain gauge is made from a clear plastic cup with measurement markings drawn on the outside. We place it in an open area away from trees and buildings. After each rain event, we measure the water level with a ruler and record the amount in inches.
How we measure
We check the gauge at the same times each day. After recording, we empty the cup and set it back in place. For very heavy rain, we check more often to avoid overflow.
Stage 2 — Tipping Bucket Sensor
Coming in Stage 2: an electronic tipping-bucket rain gauge connected to our microcontroller will record rainfall automatically every time 0.01 in of rain falls.
Thermometer
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Stage 1 — Standard Thermometer
We use a standard outdoor thermometer mounted inside a simple shelter we built from cardboard and white paint to reflect sunlight. The shelter lets air flow through so we get an accurate air temperature reading, not a reading heated by direct sun.
How we measure
Temperature and humidity are recorded at our morning and evening observation times. We also note what the sky looks like (clear, cloudy, partly cloudy, overcast).
Stage 2 — DHT22 Digital Sensor
Coming in Stage 2: a DHT22 sensor measures both temperature and humidity digitally and sends readings to our data file automatically.
Anemometer (Wind Speed)
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Stage 1 — Cup Anemometer
We made a cup anemometer using four small paper cups attached to a pencil spindle. When the wind blows, the cups spin. We count the number of rotations in 30 seconds and use a formula to estimate wind speed in miles per hour.
How we measure
We count rotations during a 30-second window and multiply by a calibration factor we worked out by testing against a known reference. This gives an approximate speed — not lab-grade, but genuinely useful for observing patterns over time.
Stage 2 — Hall-Effect Sensor
Coming in Stage 2: a magnetic switch on the spinning arm will count rotations electronically, giving accurate readings every few seconds.
Wind Vane (Wind Direction)
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Stage 1 — Cardboard Vane
Our wind vane is made from a stiff piece of cardboard cut into an arrow shape, balanced on a pencil point so it can spin freely. We marked a compass rose on a piece of wood below it and aligned it with a real compass so the cardinal directions are correct.
How we measure
We observe which direction the arrow is pointing during our measurement window. Wind direction is recorded as the direction the wind is coming FROM (e.g., "NW" means wind coming from the northwest).
Stage 2 — Magnetic Encoder
Coming in Stage 2: a rotary magnetic encoder will report the vane angle digitally, giving 16-point compass resolution automatically.
Barometer (Atmospheric Pressure)
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Stage 1 — Consumer Barometer
For Stage 1 we use a standard analog barometer (store-bought) to read atmospheric pressure in inches of mercury (inHg). Building a barometer from scratch is a future project goal.
How we measure
We read the barometer dial at each observation session and record the value and whether it appears to be rising, steady, or falling — which is useful for predicting weather changes.
Stage 2 — BMP280 Sensor
Coming in Stage 2: a BMP280 pressure sensor gives precise digital readings and can detect very small pressure changes that often precede weather shifts.