Wild Weather Tools

thingiverse

Students built and tested their own working anemometer as part of our weather unit. They learned how to design a functioning anemometer in TinkerCAD, then printed them out to measure wind speed. Print Settings MakerBot Replicator (5th Generation) was used with settings that included supports and rafts. Post-Printing Testing the Anemometers After creating and printing their anemometers, students took them outside to test their spinning capacity in the wind. We compared our designs with the real anemometer at school and checked if they spun as easily and quickly as the real thing. We used a speed radar app on iPads to check for speed, but mostly relied on visual observation. How I Designed This TinkerCAD Creations Students used TinkerCAD to create their anemometers. They were shown how to combine objects and create holes before starting. Students had pictures of anemometers as well as real models to look at when creating their own designs for reference. Overview and Background Fourth Graders designed actual weather tools (Anemometer) that would work in the real world using TinkerCAD! Students created anemometers that actually spin in the wind. They made different sized "cups" (the part of the anemometer that catches the wind) to see which sizes worked best when spinning in the wind. Students also needed to learn how to create different shapes in TinkerCAD to print well and fit together when printed. Objectives Students will understand that weather can be measured with different tools. Students will learn that an anemometer spins to measure wind speed. They will also learn about 3D modeling and design to create a spinning model. Standards Virginia SOL: Virginia Standard SOL 4.6 - The student investigates and understands how weather conditions and phenomena occur, including key concepts such as weather measurements and meteorological tools (air pressure, wind speed, rainfall, and temperature). Common Core: NY: 2.1b - Weather can be described and measured by wind speed and direction. Lesson Plan and Activity Students will learn that an anemometer measures wind speed. They will log into TinkerCAD and the teacher will show them how to create the different parts needed for the anemometer. The teacher will model creating a base, main pole, spinning ring, and "cups" (spheres with holes). Students will then create their own 3D models in TinkerCAD and attempt to make cups that spin best. Teachers will ensure prints are made in two pieces: The base and pole, then the cups and spinning rings. Supports should be on when printing. Duration of Lesson Students created their anemometers in about an hour. Printing took longer because we printed one for each student (about 150 students) in the 4th grade. To ease timing, we printed multiple to a build plate and made many small prints. Preparation List anything students should already know or have done before starting this project, including necessary technology, resources, or materials. Rubric and Assessment Students were graded on if their anemometer spun and if they could identify the different weather tools in the weather unit. References https://sites.google.com/a/solteacher.com/olteacher-com/home/4th-grade/4th-grade-science/sol-4-6-weather One of the Student's Designs on TinkerCAD