Activity time: 25 minutes

Materials for Activity

• Leader Resource 1, How to Make an Anemometer
• Five 3 oz. plastic or waxed paper cups
• Two plastic soda straws
• A new pencil with unused eraser head
• Single-hole paper punch
• Scissors (including left handed scissors)
• Tape
• One push-pin
• Permanent magic marker

Preparation for Activity

• Print Leader Resource 1, How to Make an Anemometer.
• Obtain supplies.
• Make a practice anemometer so you will be comfortable leading the activity.

Description of Activity

Explain:

The wind that powers a kite or a sailboat can also turn the blades of a windmill to do jobs such as pumping water or grinding grain to make flour. Today, people are beginning to use windmills to generate electricity; these windmills are called wind turbines. To be useful, a wind turbine must be located in a place where there is going to be a lot of strong wind. Scientists measure the speed of the wind with an anemometer.

We are going to make anemometers today.

Using the leader resource as a guide, help the group follow the instructions to make an anemometer.

Once it is ready, take it outside, hold it in front of you. Looking at the X on the bottom of one cup, count the number of times that one cup makes a revolution in 10 seconds.

If it’s not windy, blow on it, as hard as you can, asking someone else to see who can make it revolve the fastest.