The Dahlgren Heritage Museum, in partnership with the prestigious NSWCDD STEM Group, will conduct its first free 2025 STEM session for local area 3rd to 6th graders on January 16th. Guided by STEM Champion and instructor Ms. Erica Borgers, who serves as a Senior Scientist at NSWC Dahlgren and is a Doctrinal Candidate in Chemistry at George Mason University, the students will participate in an activity titled "Understanding the Anemometer." This STEM activity is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about and interact with the instrument that measures wind speed and wind pressure. Anemometers are important tools for meteorologists, who study weather patterns.
Background:
An anemometer is an instrument that measures wind speed and wind pressure. Anemometers are important tools for meteorologists, who study weather patterns. They are also important to the work of physicists, who study the way air moves.The most common type of anemometer has three or four cups attached to horizontal arms. The arms are attached to a vertical rod. As the wind blows, the cups rotate, making the rod spin. The stronger the wind blows, the faster the rod spins. The anemometer counts the number of rotations, or turns, which is used to calculate wind speed. Because wind speeds are not consistent—there are gusts and lulls—wind speed is usually averaged over a short period of time.
Parents/guardians are welcome to wait at the museum or to return for pickup by 7:30 p.m. Adults are asked to sign a consent form for photos to be used by the museum. The event is free, but donations to the museum are appreciated.
For more information and to register, visit: https://www.dahlgrenmuseum.org/events-calendar
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