Crocker builds weather station at Rainbow for Eagle project
To complete requirements to become an Eagle Scout, Drew Crocker is building a weather station at Rainbow Elementary School. CONTRIBUTED
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
9:57 pm Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Crocker builds weather station at Rainbow for Eagle project

MADISON – Andrew David ‘Drew’ Crocker, a freshman at Bob Jones High School, returned to his elementary alma mater for his final project to earn the Eagle Scout rank with Boy Scouts.

Drew is building an interactive weather station at Rainbow Elementary School for a “learning playground. Kids can really see and understand different tools that real meteorologists use to calculate real atmospheric conditions,” Drew said.

Drew’s project required 4-by-4 and 2-by-4 posts and plywood panels from Home Depot, which donated $50 to his venture. He used a router, along with miter, table and circular saws. His friend’s father was a helpful volunteer.

The station’s components are a thermometer (atmospheric temperature), hygrometer (humidity or atmospheric water vapor), barometer (atmospheric pressure), wind vane (wind direction) and rain gauge (rainfall amount).

Drew included explanations of these components’ purposes to provide an engineering tool for students. He hopes science classes can use the station to monitor atmospheric conditions for a few weeks and understand steps that an actual scientist takes for weather calculations. The station might even inspire future careers.

In addition, the station will help Rainbow earn certification for its outdoor classroom.

Since first grade, Drew has been a Scout. “My dad is an Eagle Scout, and I’ve always strived to become an Eagle Scout. I’ve learned many things — from community involvement to camping in deep wilderness,” Drew said.

“I’ve learned to ‘Be Prepared,’ the Scout motto. Troop 350 goes on one campout every month, (when) I learned knots, outdoor cooking and survival techniques,” Drew said.

“Most people would believe that Scouts are really all about being in the outdoors and knowing how to survive in a foreign environment, but there’s also a strong leadership benefit to Scouting,” Drew said. “Leadership positions in Scouting helped me be prepared to take on and be confident in real-life leadership positions.”

At Bob Jones, Drew participates with CyberPatriots and plans to enroll in Air Force JROTC. He is on the ‘A’ honor roll.

His parents are Andy and Beth Crocker. A stay-at-home mom, Beth leads Girl Scout Troop 708. Andy is Deputy Program Manager at Dynetics and works on the lander system to return astronauts to the moon. Drew’s sister, 10-year-old Katie, is a Rainbow fifth-grader.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *