Investigate how the weather works by setting up a weather station. You can easily and cheaply make or buy the different things you need. Become a weather expert by tracking the weather in your garden or at school. There are fun experiments of all sorts using different instruments, and even some detective work to do with fieldwork projects.

Instruments should be screened from external influences. A crude screen can be made from a white painted box with no base, or even a short section of PVC drainpipe. You can buy a DIY louvred screen or make a Stevenson Screen. Look for an open space, clear of trees and buildings, where your station won't be disturbed or moved. Keeping the paintwork clean and white helps reflect heat radiation. Set up your screen securely and make sure it is level. Hang your max/min thermometer and wet-and dry-bulb hygrometer inside where you can read them easily. Place a barometer inside. Take regular readings, twice a day if possible, the same time am and pm.

The Royal Meteorological Society has an education section on their website where you can find some information about sources of materials and a range of suggestions for projects and activities to try.

Generally you can buy instruments from some educational suppliers, and DIY and garden centres sell a range of basic kits, as do some of the Christmas charity catalogues and 'gadget' catalogues. The Science Museum and the Natural History Museum sell a variety of interesting and fun experiment kits that relate to weather projects.

You will need to buy professional accurate instruments if you or your school want to use your records for a proper climatological study of your area or if you want to apply to be an observer for the Met Office.