Westgate designated as official weather station

Westgate Community School is proud to announce its designation as an official weather station for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network (CoCoRaHS).

This exciting development places our school among a nationwide network of citizen scientists contributing daily precipitation data to support research and operations at leading scientific organizations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

As part of this initiative, Westgate will submit daily rain gauge measurements, providing valuable data that informs weather forecasting, climate research, and environmental education. This hands-on opportunity allows students to engage directly with real-world science, connecting classroom learning in weather science, mathematics, and environmental education (EE) to meaningful, impactful work.

The data collection process requires precision and care. Students receive training in reading a graduated cylinder to the hundredths, ensuring accuracy in every report. Leading this effort are our 7th and 8th grade iLab classes, under the guidance of Mr. Elliott, who have been trained to read and record the measurements. These students are also taking on the responsibility of training other classes, fostering a culture of scientific stewardship throughout the school.

The rain gauge is installed in our pollinator gardens, located in the hexagon garden area beyond the field. Our 7th and 8th graders played a key role in preparing the site, including digging the post hole for the gauge installation.

This partnership with CoCoRaHS exemplifies Westgate’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. We look forward to the continued growth of this program and the contributions our students will make to the broader scientific community.