Search for Science Fair Projects

1000 Science Fair Projects with Complete Instructions

Meteorology Science Fair Project

Wind Speed and Height Above Ground

Medium
Wind Speed and Height Above Ground | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Does wind blow faster the higher you go above the ground? You mount four anemometers (wind speed meters) on a single pole at 1, 2, 3, and 4 meters high. Then you plant the pole on an open hilltop. Over three days, you count the turns each anemometer makes in one minute. The higher anemometers spin faster every time. This pattern shows how the ground slows wind through friction.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that the anemometer located at the highest point above the ground will measure the highest wind speed.

Science Concepts Learned

Friction

Friction is the force that slows things down when they rub against each other. In this experiment, you mount four anemometers on a single pole at 1, 2, 3, and 4 meters high. The higher anemometers spin faster every time, showing that wind closer to the ground is slowed more by friction.

Anemometer

The rate at which the cups spin reveals how friction with the ground slows the wind. Mounting four anemometers at different heights on a single pole shows this effect directly — the higher instruments spin faster every time. That pattern maps exactly how ground friction weakens wind closer to the surface.

Method & Materials

You will assemble four anemometers on a metal rod, plant it in the ground at a chosen location, and measure the number of turns made by the anemometer in one minute.
You will need four anemometers, one metal rod (measuring 5m in length), and one stopwatch.

Tinker Cratescience & engineering build kits for ages 9–12 — real tools, real experiments, delivered monthly. (Affiliate link)

See whats included

Results

The results show that the higher the anemometer is above the ground, the faster it will turn. This proves that the hypothesis is true.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting because it explores the relationship between wind speed and altitude, which is important for understanding wind turbulence and the performance of wind turbines.

Also Consider

Variations of this experiment include using wind socks positioned at various heights, and comparing the results obtained at different locations.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

Related videos

These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
Share this Science Project:

Related Science Fair Project Ideas

Pressure, Smoke, and Cloud Formation
Drop a lit match into a jar with water vapor and seal it with a plastic bag. Pull the bag outward and watch a real cloud form inside.
Medium
Tornado Vortex in a Soda Bottle
Connect two soda bottles cap-to-cap and swirl the water to create a spinning tornado vortex you can hold.
Medium
Four Weather Instruments in One Station
Build a cloud mirror and pair it with a hygrometer and barometer to measure four weather conditions at once.
Medium
Share this Science Project: