Introduction to Kindergarten Earth Science Anemometer
This Kindergarten Earth Science Anemometer lesson is a study of the weather over a 7-day period, with a focus on the wind. We made an anemometer out of straws and paper cups. An anemometer tells you how fast the wind is blowing. We had a great time with this lesson and Jack learned so much from it!
-Next Generation Science Standard* K-ESS2-1
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Materials List for Kindergarten Earth Science Anemometer
-4 straight-cut straws
-4 bath cups
–stapler
–masking tape
-1 pencil with eraser
-1 straight pin
-glass thermometer
–compass
–Kindergarten Earth Science Anemometer 39-page lesson
Step 1: Complete the worksheets in our Kindergarten Earth Science Anemometer lesson
Here are sample worksheet pages from our lesson:
Step 2: Gather all the materials you need to make the anemometer
First we put the straws together into a large “T” and taped them at the center. We used duct tape to hold them together, but scotch tape or masking tape would probably work better.
Step 3: Staple the top of the cups to each of the straws
It doesn’t have to be perfect, but all the cups should face the same direction and have the straw stapled near the mouth of the top of the cup.
Step 4: Push the pin through the center of the straws, through the tape, then stick the pin into the pencil eraser
After you complete this step, test your anemometer by giving it a little push to see if it spins freely. If it does, move on to step 6, if not, try pushing the pin into the eraser further or loosening up the tape around the pin.
Step 5: Decide when and where you will gather your weather data
Use the data table from our lesson, or make your own like the photo below, to record your weather data for 1 week. You should make your observations in the same place at the same time every day to be sure your results are not being influenced by other variables.
Use the compass and thermometer to record the temperature and wind direction.
Here is a video of us making our wind speed observation using our homemade anemometer:
Here is our completed data table!
Step 6: Complete the questions on the data table and the assessment in the Kindergarten Earth Science Anemometer lesson
Answering the questions on the data table will help you interpret the data with your student/child so that they can better understand the scientific process.
Here is a sample assessment page from our lesson:
Source:
NGSS Lead States. 2013. Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
*”Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.”
