The Weather Pop Up Book
$59.99
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how we know when rain is coming? The weather is always changing, and one clue scientists use to predict it is air pressure. When air pressure drops, rain is often on the way, and when it rises, clear skies usually follow!
In this experiment, you’ll make your own DIY barometer, a simple tool that helps you track air pressure using everyday materials like a balloon, a jar, and a straw. By watching how your barometer changes, you’ll learn to spot clues about upcoming weather, just like the whetū (star) Waipuna-ā-rangi, who is connected to rain and the water that falls from the sky.
Let’s explore the science of the skies and celebrate the wisdom of Waipuna-ā-rangi!
Step 1:
Gather all your materials:
• Pepa porowhā - Square piece of paper (or thin card)
• Kutikuti - Scissors
• Rūri - Ruler
• Poihau - Balloon
• Hererapa - Rubber band
• Pene - Pencil or pen
• Ngongo - Skewer or paper straw
• Tiā kōata - Glass jar
• Tēpa whakapiri - Cellotape
Step 2:
With the help of an adult, carefully cut off the neck (opening) of the balloon—you only need the round part. Discard the cut-off piece.
Step 3:
Stretch the top of the balloon over your glass jar and secure it with your rubber band. Try and get the balloon stretched as tight and flat over the jar as possible.
Step 4:
Tape the blunt end of the skewer or straw onto the centre of the balloon top, making sure the pointy end (or free end) is sticking straight out and away from the jar. This will act as your pointer.
Step 5:
Place your piece of paper in portrait orientation. To make your pressure scale, use your ruler to mark ten evenly spaced points along the right-hand side of your paper. Label the scale with 'High Pressure' at the top and 'Low Pressure' at the bottom.
Step 6:
Find a spot in your house where you can place your DIY barometer—somewhere it won’t be bumped or moved easily. Stick your pressure scale on the wall behind the jar, so the skewer points directly at it.
Make one final mark on the scale where the skewer is pointing now - this will be your starting pressure.
Step 7:
Watch your barometer over a few days. Does the skewer move? What’s the weather like when it does?
Reflect
- What did you observe when the air pressure changed?
- If you could redesign your barometer, what would you change and why?
- Was your barometer accurate? How could you test or improve its accuracy?
How It Works
Your barometer works by measuring changes in air pressure—the weight of the air around us. When air pressure rises, it pushes down on the balloon, making the pointer move up, which usually means clear weather is coming. When air pressure drops, the balloon lifts slightly and the pointer moves down, a sign that rain may be on the way. Just like the whetū Waipuna-ā-rangi, your barometer helps you notice the signs that rain is near.
