Some resources from federal government sites are currently unavailable; when possible, we’ve provided alternative non-government links to ensure continued data access.

Weather Instruments

Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution |Published on: August 15, 2024

Activity - Classroom

K12345

Synopsis

This resource includes two activities where students create a pine cone humidity detector and a wind dial (anemometer).
Students will learn how pine cones react to moisture and how to calculate wind speed.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Science

Authors: Paleontological Research Institution

Region: Global

Languages: English

View Resource

Teaching Materials

Positives

The Background and Extensions section includes engaging activities for older students.
Students will love creating a tool to use outside.

Prerequisites

For younger students, teachers may want to cut the strips of paper for the wind dial ahead of time.
Teachers will need to gather materials before doing the activity.

Differentiation & Implementation

Before creating the pine cone humidity detector, students can go on a nature walk to collect dry pine cones.
To make math connections, older students can take their wind dial out every day throughout the week or at different times throughout the day, and graph how many times per minute their wind dial spins.
Teachers can discuss how a wind dial that measures wind speed may be useful in the field of renewable energy.
Older students can discuss the relationship between humidity and wet bulb temperature, as well as how climate change impacts these things.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

Paleontological Research Institution

Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is a national leader in Earth systems science education. They strive to help make sense of the present and potential future climate change, while also increasing understanding of global change in Earth’s past. Their programs focus on systems thinking, understanding scale and learning in your own backyard.

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.