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How to Make a Model of Wind Energy at Home

Spinning windmills are a classic example of wind energy at work. Wind pushes against and spins the blades, turning an attached shaft. The shaft can power a grinding mill, pump water or generate electricity. In fact, you can make a model of wind energy at home with basic supplies. The model, called an anemometer, simulates a windmill or turbine and lets you meaure wind speed and force.

Things You'll Need

Paper Punch
5 Paper Cups
2 Soda Straws
Stapler
Staples
New Pencil
Push Pin

Instructions

- 1
  Punch a hole, with a paper punch, into four separate paper cups. Each hole should be approximately 0.5 inch below the cup's rim.
- 2
  Punch four holes around the circumference of a fifth cup, approximately 0.25 inch under the rim. Make sure that the holes are evenly spaced around the rim.
- 3
  Punch a final hole in the center bottom of the fifth cup.
- 4
  Push a straw through one cup's hole. Allow the straw to bend and press against the hole-free opposite side. Staple the straw to the cup's side.
- 5
  Repeat Step 4 for another one-hole cup and one straw.
- 6
  Slide one straw and cup combination through two opposing holes on the fifth cup. Slide another one-hole cup onto the empty, protruding straw end. Bend and staple the straw to the cup. Make sure that the opposing cups are facing in opposite directions.
- 7
  Repeat Step 6 for the remaining two cups and one straw. Verify that the cups face in the same direction.
- 8
  Push a pencil, with a new eraser head, through the bottom hole on the fifth cup until it meets the intersecting straws. Push a push pin through the straws and into the eraser's head, securing the anemometer together.
- 9
  Mark or color one of the four spinning cups. Once you're outside, the anemometer will begin to spin with the wind. The marking, or color, will allow observers to record the wind's speed in RPM (revolutions per minute) for scientific study.

Nature