Temperature and Weather Investigation – Monitoring Temperature - Outdoor Lessons

This weather and seasons investigation engages students in observing changes in temperature throughout the day. It’s an excellent cross-curricular science and math activity where students will learn and practice various skills, from reading scales to handling data.

To achieve the most significant temperature variation, it’s best to introduce this investigation the day before the measurements are taken. This way, students can take their first reading as early in the day as possible.

Teaching Structure (over a period of 3 days):

The day before the investigation:

• Explain to the students that they will be measuring changes in temperature throughout the day.
• Have the students complete the investigation plan and set times for their measurements the following day.

Ensure the first measurement is taken as early as possible and the last one as late as possible to capture the greatest temperature variation. Encourage students to choose different locations around your outdoor space—this allows them to compare results and consider reasons for any differences.

The day of the investigation:

• Have students record the temperature at the specified times throughout the day.

After the investigation:

• Once all results are collected, students can complete the line graph and conclusion sheets.
• Extension: Students can compare results, considering any reasons for similarities or differences.

Equipment needed:

• Activity pack
• Thermometers