Monitoring the weather
In 1999, Barming Primary School was involved in a weather competition, organised by Powergen. As joint winners, the school was awarded:
- hand held instruments to measure the weather
- a wall-mounted Stephenson screen
- a computer and software
- a satellite dish.
Objectives
To ensure easy access to the satellite images so that they can be used alongside data collected by our own weather station.
To enable the children to practise their own weather forecasting, using measuring instruments, reading a variety of scales and comparing their own readings with that of the computer.
The ICS Complete Weather Station
The school purchased The Weather Monitor ll from ICS Electronics Ltd. This includes a console and junction box, standard external temperature and humidity sensors with 7.6m cable, an anemometer with 12m cable, a rain collector (0.2mm) with 12m cable and an ac-power adapter. In addition we purchased Davis Weatherlink 4 software.
Assembly
The Davis weather monitoring equipment had to be assembled from a large number of parts. A big problem was identifying the appropriate construction diagram for the various options chosen.
Once the equipment had been unpacked and assembled, it had to be mounted on a suitable pole. We used a 3m length of scaffold pipe.
Installation
Considerable thought had to be given to the sighting of the instruments. The most suitable place was the apex of the hall roof. However, the equipment would be exposed to the full force of the wind.
We also had to make sure that the sensor assembly was extremely well attached to the wall. This was not a five-minute job and is an aspect of the project that needs to be well engineered, for health and safety reasons.
Protection
The cable linking the sensors to the internal console (display unit) was 30 metres long. As it is only flat telephone cable, it needs protecting from the elements, particularly if it is going to be run over roofs. This was achieved by passing the cable through a 30m length of flexible conduit (garden hose pipe can be used).
The equipment is vulnerable to lightning strikes. Therefore, a protected junction box was installed at the bottom of the pole between the exterior sensors and the display unit. This box also needs an earth wire to be attached to an earth spike.
Preparing to use the equipment - diary of events
A very clear idea of my objectives and expected outcomes was needed. My main concern was to ensure easy access to the satellite images, so that they can be used alongside data collected by our own weather station. This would also enable the children to practise their own weather forecasting, using measuring instruments, reading a variety of scales and comparing their own readings with that of the computer.
Two factors affected the project. For some unknown reason, we were no longer able to archive the satellite data. We suspect that some time during the Summer Term, someone inadvertently clicked the mouse over the wrong icon, changing some vital software parameter. This is easily done when the computer has to be left running in a communal area all the time, in order to collect the data).
After numerous phone calls to Dartcom (the software suppliers) it became evident that we would have to buy another copy. It made sense for us to buy the updated version, as this enabled multi-tasking. While the computer is downloading an image it does not interrupt another program.
The second event that made progress on the project easier, was the employment of a part-time technician and classroom assistant to work in the computer room. He was able to take charge of the construction and installation. With everything in position by Christmas, we were able to begin looking closely at the program and to start work on the curriculum content of the project in early January.
It was obvious to us, that with the other demands of the curriculum, teachers need easy and understandable guides for using the complex equipment we now own. We have tried to design an explanatory leaflet with guidance ranging from how to turn on the "Weather" computer, through to transferring the data to a shared work area on the school network
The guide also needed to contain differentiated ideas for the use of the program, across the primary age range. In order to achieve this, it was necessary for us both to become very familiar with both WINSAT PRO (the program which decodes the Satellite data) and PC LINK (the program which interprets the data from the Weather Station).
ICS Electronics Ltd
Unit V, Rudford Industrial Estate
Ford
Arundel
West Sussex,
BN18OBD
01903 731101
http://www.icselectronics.co.uk/icsnet/Products/
Dartcom
Powdermills
Postbridge
Yelverton
Devon
PL20 6SP
www.dartcom.co.uk