Enhancing awareness of the geophysical environment through a multisensory rainfall experience

Rainfall is a familiar phenomenon for most people and is often perceived as a constraint. Yet, it usually receives little attention, as daily activities take priority. As rainfall and hydrology scientists, we seek to engage the general public and improve understanding in a field that is often affected by misinformation. More broadly, our goal is to stimulate curiosity and awareness of the surrounding geophysical environment.

To contribute to this effort, we designed and implemented a series of multisensory experiences centered on rainfall, guided by three main objectives: (i) to actively engage people with geoscience topics by encouraging them to observe their environment; (ii) to offer a simple and enjoyable moment that allows them to focus on geophysical phenomena; and (iii) to provide new knowledge about rainfall. Regarding this last objective, sensory involvement is a powerful tool for enhancing learning and memory.

We proposed three simple experiences that require no material other than rainfall itself and an open mind, and that conveys clear take-home messages. The three experiences are: feeling raindrops and their sizes on the hand or face while walking; listening to rain falling on different surfaces (such as a tent, umbrella, or metal sheet); and observing rainfall near a lamppost at night. The first highlights the variability of drop sizes, the second illustrates the temporal variability of rainfall, and the third reveals the combined temporal variability of rainfall and wind. Participants are invited to read short instructions before, and to fill out an open-ended form to report their sensations and observations.

The feedback collected for more than 60 experiences carried out in more than 5 different countries will be presented. Disparities of feeling between the three experiences will be presented.