Outdoor Science Project: Measuring Air

Outdoor Science Project: Anemometer

Take a deep breath–we’ve got another easy science project for your students! We know many of our students are itching to get outside, so take your science lesson outdoors with this easy project about weather science.

Science helps us understand the world around us, and this simple project helps students apply science principles to their daily lives. An anemometer is an effective tool for measuring wind speed. Knowing wind speed is a strong indicator of weather patterns, which affects our lives each day. Understanding weather patterns and predicting weather saves lives and property from being damaged. We also need weather science to help us grow our food.

Easy Anemometer

(Image sourced from PowerZone)

This project can be done with all ages and modified for more of a challenge. 

What You’ll Need

• 4 small disposable cups
• 2 straws 
• Pushpin 
• Glue/tape
• Pencil with eraser
• Stopwatch (optional)
• Fan (optional)

What You’ll Do

1. Tape one cup to one end of the straw so the straw is attached near the rim of the cup, the cup facing on its side and opened to the left. 
2. Turn the straw and tape another cup the same way on the open end of the straw. 
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the other straw so there are two cups attached to both straws. 
4. Cross one straw perpendicularly over the other to create an “X” shape. Tape the center of the “X” so the “X” formation stays in place.
5. Push the pin through the center of the “X” and then push the pin into the eraser of the pencil. This should secure the straws to the pencil, but straws should still be able to turn atop the pencil.
6. Test your anemometer outside or with a fan and see how fast/slow it spins!

ADVANCED VERSION: Mark one of the cups with an “X” or a dot. Count how many times the cup with the marking revolves around the pencil in a minute. This number will become your wind speed in RPMs (revolutions per minute). Test wind speed in different locations and at different times of the day. 

Air: The Invisible Wonder is one of our favorite and well-loved science programs. In this program, students ages K-8 take part in several unique science experiments that demonstrate the wonder of the air all around us. Students can’t help but be amazed learning the science behind air and gases in this exciting and interactive format. This program is available both in-person and virtually. 

In Air: The Invisible Wonder, students learn about: 

• Energy
• Atmospheric pressure
• Vacuums
• Bernoulli's Principle of Fluid Dynamics
• Principles of lift and flight

For more information about science programs for kids, visit our website!

This blog post was inspired by PowerZone.