PrimarySecondarySTEM ...

Wind speed measurement – Make an anemometer with paper cups

What's included?

Two-page PDF featuring classroom activity ideas, plus teacher notes

Key Stage

KS1, KS2, KS3

Age

Years 1-9

Subjects

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.


Find out more about Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium.

Wind speed measurement instructions
DOWNLOAD A FREE RESOURCE!
Wind speed measurement – Make an anemometer with paper cups
PrimarySecondarySTEM ...

You'll also receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers, and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Which sectors are you interested in?




By signing up you agree to our Terms & Conditions and privacy policy

Explore teaching packs

Pie Corbett Ultimate KS2 Fiction Collection
Pie Corbett Ultimate KS2 Fiction Collection
Fire up KS2 pupils' imagination with this collection of 20+ fictional stories, written by literacy expert Pie Corbett. Each ... more
21 x resources
Pie Corbett KS2 Non-Fiction Collection
Use Pie Corbett’s non-fiction texts to inspire your KS2 pupils to get writing. Each resource contains an original text in ... more
7 x resources
Pie Corbett KS2 Poetry Collection
Inspire KS2 pupils to be creative and express themselves with this pack of Pie Corbett poetry. Each of these Pie Corbett Tal... more
7 x resources
WAGOLL classroom resources
WAGOLL Packs from Real Authors
Peer inside the mind of award-winning children's authors and help pupils understand how to create engaging characters, capti... more
14 x resources
Art KS2 inspiring medium term plans
Art KS2 Inspiring Medium Term Plans
Get pupils' creative juices flowing with these expert medium-term art plans for KS2. Each resource consists of a full half-t... more
6 x resources
Magical Harry Potter Teaching Ideas
Magical Harry Potter Teaching Ideas
Spark pupils' imaginations with these inventive and exciting teaching ideas, all themed around the wonderful world of Harry ... more
11 x resources