The Cloudwatch project will be running again in 2000. The aim was to see if a good picture of cloud cover over the UK could be built up from a relatively small number of school observations. These observations were combined to form a map of cloud cover over the country and compared with satellite images. This was a very useful exercise and added interest and motivation to the learning process as well as encouraging schoolchildren to be observant. The Geography National Curriculum stresses the need to involve children in field studies and this project demonstrated the links between ground observations and remote sensing from satellites.
Clouds are a vital part of our environment.
As part of the water cycle they transport water evaporated from the oceans to inland areas, giving rain that allows crops to grow and food to be produced. Their presence determines whether we get floods or droughts and the supply of water is of crucial importance in many parts of the world. Clouds are ideal subjects for observation since no instruments are required. Over a period of a week they are almost certain to vary in type and amount. Discussing their formation could lead on to concepts of evaporation, condensation and convection.