Making rainfall features fun: scientific activities for teaching children aged 5–12 years

Abstract

Abstract.Research projects now rely on an array of different channels to increase impact, including high-level scientific output, tools, and equipment, but also communication, outreach, and educational activities. This paper focuses on education for children aged 5-12 years and presents activities that aim to help them (and their teachers) grasp some of the complex underlying issues in environmental science. More generally, it helps children to become familiarized with science and scientists, with the aim to enhance scientific culture and promote careers in this field. The activities developed are focused on rainfall: (a) designing and using a disdrometer to observe the variety of drop sizes; (b) careful recording of successive dry and rainy days and reproducing patterns using a simple model based on fractal random multiplicative cascades; and (c) collaboratively writing a children's book about rainfall. These activities are discussed in the context of current state-of-the-art pedagogical practices and goals set by project funders, especially in a European Union framework.

Penerapan Metode Eksperimen Hujan Untuk Mengembangkan Sains Pada Anak Usia Dini Di Tk a Aisyiyah Bustanulathfal v Kota Probolinggo

“…Dengan berpartisipasi aktif dalam eksperimen dan menjelajahi alam, anak-anak dapat mengembangkan keterampilan berpikir, kemampuan pemecahan masalah, dan penalaran ilmiah. (Gires et al, 2016).…”

“…Kegiatan ini tidak hanya membuat pembelajaran menyenangkan dan interaktif tetapi juga meningkatkan minat dan keterlibatan anak-anak dalam subjek. (Gires et al, 2016). Banyak para peneliti berkonsultasi dengan fakultas universitas yang ahli dalam pendidikan matematika dan sains tingkat menengah dan menengah untuk memverifikasi bahwa standar-standar tersebut merupakan prioritas dalam pendidikan umum.…”

Editorial: Geoscience Communication – Building bridges, not walls

“…For example, a research paper that aims to report on the effectiveness of a public engagement initiative that communicates volcano risks through the use of mime should have qualitative or quantitative evidence that supports the effectiveness of the initiative and demonstrates how impact has been achieved. A recent publication that utilised such an approach was Gravina et al (2017), who investigated how social media can be used to communicate important natural hazard information, and which included a thorough quantitative analysis of the reach and impact of a variety of social media channels.…”

How Do We Measure Rainfall?

“…Before describing a "real" disdrometer, here is how you can make one at home (see Ref. [1] for a more detailed description). Follow these steps:…”