Like the Mars Pathfinder Mission Team we have had to make tradeoffs between cost and size, making our final choice of instruments a critical one that required much discussion. Metric Tape - measurements, use for showing scale in images, etc. We request that classes collect data during the time frame of March 24-April 4th. It would be optimal to have all classes collect data on the same date at the same time, but we know this is not practical. If winds are gusty, an average of several readings taken over the course of a few minutes should be made.
Wind direction is measured with a wind vane.
You can determine the wind direction by tying a lightweight streamer to the end of a long pole. Use a compass to note North, South, East and West, and intermediate degrees. The direction of the wind is opposite to the direction in which the tail of the streamer is pointing. As with wind speed, measurements of wind direction should be made in an open area away from nearby tall obstacles which can greatly influence the local direction of the wind. Students may conduct these tests within their classrooms or utilize a water-testing service.