# Choose Your Weather Project

Part of the Weather Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/weather/guide/index.md)

*Weather in Action*

> **10.** Do ONE of the following:

This requirement covers two different paths, and you should choose the one that fits your interests, schedule, and access to local resources.

- **Req 10a** is a maker-and-observer project. You build a simple weather instrument and use it as part of a one-week weather log.
- **Req 10b** is a field-and-interview project. You visit or speak with a weather professional and learn how your community receives warnings.

## Your options

- **[Req 10a — Build an Instrument and Keep a Log](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/weather/guide/req10a/)**: Make a wind vane, anemometer, rain gauge, or hygrometer, then track weather data and compare forecasts with what actually happened. This option helps you learn by observing patterns over time.
- **[Req 10b — Visit a Weather Expert](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/weather/guide/req10b/)**: Visit a National Weather Service office or interview a meteorologist, broadcaster, extension officer, or university instructor. This option helps you learn how weather science works in your community and how warnings reach people.

## How to choose

**Choosing your option** — Think about time, access, and what kind of learning you want

- [ ] **Hands-on building**: Choose **10a** if you like making things, recording observations, and comparing forecast data with real conditions.
- [ ] **Meeting professionals**: Choose **10b** if you enjoy asking questions, seeing how experts work, and learning how community warning systems operate.
- [ ] **Time available**: **10a** takes at least a week of consistent observation. **10b** may take less time overall, but it depends on scheduling a visit or interview.
- [ ] **What you will gain**: **10a** builds careful observation habits and data-collection skills. **10b** builds interviewing skills and helps you understand local weather hazards and communication systems.

> **Tip**
>
> If you are especially interested in forecasting for campouts, 10a gives you strong practice reading local conditions. If you are curious about careers or emergency planning, 10b may fit you better.

## A good way to decide

Ask yourself these questions:

- Can I make and check an instrument at the same time every day for a week?
- Do I have a safe place to set up and read it?
- Is there a local weather office, broadcaster, or meteorology instructor I could contact?
- Which option would I be more excited to explain to my counselor afterward?

There is no wrong choice. The goal is to complete one option well.

You will start with the instrument-and-log option on the next page. Even if you choose the interview option instead, it still helps to read ahead and see what weather observation looks like.

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- Previous: [Earth](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/weather/guide/req9/index.md)
- Next: [Build an Instrument and Keep a Log](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/weather/guide/req10a/index.md)