How to Build a Homemade Anemometer

An anemometer is a device that measures wind speed. You can make one yourself with a few basic supplies that you have around the house or can be purchased at a craft store. This is a great science project for kids to take to school and share. Here's how you do it.

Things You'll Need

• Empty spool of thread
• Cardboard
• Glue/Stapler
• Needle
• Pencil
• Small block of wood
• Scissors
• Colorful sticker

Instructions

1. 

   Glue the spool of thread to the block of wood and then put the pencil, eraser side up, into the center of the spool for safe keeping. Set it aside to dry. The block of wood can be most any size.

2. 

   Trace out a rectangle 2" x 18" from the cardboard with a ruler. Cut out the two strips and half way down cut a slit in the middle, cutting upward. Instead of making a slit you can just glue the two pieces together at the middle so they form an X. Make sure you measure so that it is exactly in the middle.

3. 

   Glue or staple one muffin cup to each strip end. Make sure they are all facing the same way, as when the air hits the inside of the cup, it will turn. If you are gluing, wait till it drives until you go to the next step.

4. 

   Put the needle into the erasure and then place the X onto the needle. You want it to go around easily, but if it doesn't then make the hole a little bigger.

5. 

   Put a large red dot or a sticker on to the paper cup where you can see it, as this is what you will be watching as the cups spin around, to count the wind speed.

6. 

   Using a watch with a minute hand, count the number of times the cup with the sticker rotates around in one minute. The number will be your wind speed.

Tips & Warnings

• Try painting your anemometer before you build it or decorate it with felt pens.