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How to Make a Wind Gauge With Cups and Straws

A wind gauge, also called an anemometer, is an instrument used by weather observers to measure wind speed. As wind speed increases, the wind gauge spins faster. Professional weather instruments must be very sensitive in order to provide accurate information and they cost thousands of dollars. However, you can see how an anemometer works by making a model out of cups and straws.

Things You'll Need

5 3-ounce paper cups
2 straight plastic straws
Straight pin
Scissors
Paper punch
Stapler
Sharpened pencil with an eraser on the end

Instructions

- 1
  Label the five paper cups A, B, C, D and E -- one letter for each cup. Use the paper punch to make one hole about ½ inch below the rim in cups A, B, C and D.
- 2
  Push a straw into cup A through the hole until the straw reaches across the cup. Fold the end of the straw and staple it to the side of the cup. Slide the second straw into cup B, and fold and staple the straw end to the cup.
- 3
  Punch four holes about ¼ inch below the rim of cup E, making sure that each hole is the same distance from the two holes next to it. There should be two pairs of holes directly across the cup from each other. Use the pencil to make a hole in the center of the bottom of cup E.
- 4
  Slide the straw attached to cup A through one pair of opposite holes in the cup E. Push the straw through the hole in cup C, making sure that cup faces in the opposite direction from cup A. Fold the straw end and staple it to the cup.
- 5
  Push the straw stapled to cup B through the remaining pair of holes in cup E. Pass the straw above or below the first straw where they cross in the middle of cup E. Slide the straw into the hole in Cup D until it reaches across the cup. Fold the end and staple it to the inside of the cup.
- 6
  Hold Cup E so the bottom is down. Turn the four cups attached to the straws so they all face either clockwise or counterclockwise around cup E. Push the pin from the top down all the way through both straws where they cross.
- 7
  Slide the pencil's eraser end up through the hole in the bottom of Cup E. Push the pin into the eraser as far as it will go. Hold your wind gauge by the pencil and the cups will spin when they catch a breeze.

Nature