El Nino and La Nina Science Projects

Physical Results of El Nino/La Nina

• One idea for a science project is to show how El Nino and La Nina work. Take two small tubs and fill them with equal amounts of water. Have each tub sit underneath a heating lamp. Place a fan in front of one tub. Let the tubs sit for a bit. After awhile, you can show observers how the tub with direct heat and no wind is so warm that it would be inhospitable for animal life in the oceans, showing the effects of El Nino. The other tub should be cold, allowing nutrients to flourish, showing the effects of La Nina.

Recreating El Nino/La Nina Conditions

• Warm a pot of water to a boil and pour the water into a clear container. It is recommended to add some sort of food coloring dye so observers can see the details of the experiment better. In another container, add non-frozen cold water and a different color food dye. Add these waters together in one container. The hot dyed water should float on top of the cold dye water. This is El Nino. Apply the heat of a hairdryer to the mixture. The hot dyed water will move to the edge of the container wall, allowing the cold dyed water to rise to the top. This is La Nina.

Similar Experiment with Design

• Many of the experiments are fine in theory, but to really show the true effects of El Nino and La Nina, you can design sets of the continents. Recreate the food dye experiment. Have on the left or west edge of the container dry clay mold sculptures of Australia, Indonesia and Asia. On the right or east edge, have dry clay mold sculptures of the Americas. Make sure the molds are tall enough to be completely exposed from the water. Recreate the experiment to show observers the geographic impact of El Nino and La Nina.

Seasonal Experiments

• Since La Nina and El Nino impact climates, these phenomena also impact weather. El Nino years should have heavy precipitation over the Americas whereas La Nina years should have heavy precipitation over Asia and Oceania. Using a "Farmer's Almanac," display the seasonal rainfalls your continent should be receiving. Throughout the year, measure your rainfall and precipitation totals. Display these findings for your science project. If you are from an Asian or Oceanic country, La Nina years should have heavier precipitation than other years. If you live in the Americas, the El Nino years should have heavier precipitation comparatively.