Activity #1 Anemometer
Name: __________________________
2nd Grade PSI
Build an Anemometer to Measure Wind in
Classroom
An anemometer is a tool for measuring wind speed.
A cup anemometer uses cups to catch the wind.
This makes the tool turn, or rotate. Meteorologists
(people who study weather) count how many turns it
makes in a minute to find wind speed.
Part I: Build an anemometer
For each anemometer you will need:
 5 3-oz. paper cups
 2 straws
 1 pushpin
 1 new pencil
Step 1: Use a hole punch to punch one hole about
1cm down from rim in 4 of the cups
Step 2: Use a hole punch to punch 4 equally spaced
holes about 1 centimeter down from the rim in the 5th
cup. This will be the center of the anemometer.
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2nd Grade PSI
Wind, Water & Land
Step 3: Slide the two straws through the center cup.
They should form an “X”.
Step 4: Insert the ends of each straw into the other
cups. Secure the ends by folding or taping them. Be
sure cups all face the same direction. Draw an X on
one of the cups to help count spins.
Step 5. Push the pushpin to attach the cups through
the center of the straws into the pencil eraser.
Part II. Calculate wind speed
Use the anemometer to calculate the speed of wind
generated in the classroom in pairs.
Materials:
 paper fan
 workbook
 3-speed fan
 data sheet
Step 1: Blow as hard as you can for 1 minute. Have
your partner count the cup spins. Record the
number. Switch roles.
Step 2: Create a paper fan by accordion folding a
piece of construction paper. Wave the fan for 1
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2nd Grade PSI
Wind, Water & Land
minute while partner counts the spins. Record the
number. Switch roles.
Step 3: Wave a workbook to create wind for 1
minute while partner counts the spins. Record the
number. Switch roles.
Step 4: Measure the wind of each speed on the fan
by counting the spins of the anemometer. Record
the spins for each speed.
Step 5: Use the data to answer the questions.
DATA SHEET
Wind Tool
Blowing
Number of Spins
Paper Fan
Workbook
Fan speed 1
Fan speed 2
Fan speed 3
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2nd Grade PSI
Wind, Water & Land
Questions
1. Which tool generated the most wind?
______________________________________
2. Which tool generated the least wind?
______________________________________
3. Why does a faster wind make the anemometer
spin faster?
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
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2nd Grade PSI
Wind, Water & Land