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Tracking Patterns and Shifts in Local Climate

Activity

Weather Journal

Over the span of one month, record the weather conditions at the same time each day (morning, afternoon, or evening) and note the temperature, humidity, and cloud cover. What changes do you notice in the temperature, humidity, or rain throughout the month? Is the weather becoming warmer or cooler? Find out what the temperatures and rainfall were in several previous years and then use your notes to find any trends that might relate to the shifting of the seasons over several years or even decades.

Science Seed

Climatology is the study of long-term trends and patterns in weather, like how temperatures and rainfall change over seasons and years. By recording weather data over time, we can see how seasonal changes, like the amount of rain in the fall or the heat in the summer, affect our local climate. As climate change becomes a growing concern, scientists are noticing changes in typical weather patterns. Tracking and understanding local climate trends, like increasing temperatures or shifting rainfall patterns, helps us better prepare for what’s to come and adapt to protect people and our environment.

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Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

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Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.