Two-page PDF featuring classroom activity ideas, plus teacher notes
KS1, KS2, KS3
Years 1-9
If you want to undertake a wind speed measurement investigation with your class, this two-page PDF explains how to:
- create an anemometer to measure wind speed
- predict and compare the effect wind will have on the anemometer
- create wind to test the anemometer
It’s the perfect activity for groups of three or four and can be done indoors or outdoors. It’s suitable for KS1-KS3 and touches on science (climate), maths (gathering data) and English (following instructions).
You will need:
- 5 paper cups
- 2 paper straws or wooden doweling
- Pencil
- Drawing pin
- Fan
- Hair dryer
Wind speed measurement activity
Once you’ve made your anemometer, mark one of the cups with a colour so it is different from the others. This will help pupils count how many turns their anemometer makes with different wind speeds.
Question for pupils:
- What do you think will happen when the wind blows?
- Why does the anemometer spin in the wind?
- What do you think might happen when the wind blows more strongly?
Stick the anemometer into the ground and use the the wind outside. Alternatively indoors use a hair dryer, a fan or pupils can create their own wind flapping a tray near to the anemometer.
Pupils record the effect different wind speeds have on the movement of the anemometer.
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