A group of students will create a simple, durable wind vane with teacher assistance.

Engaging Questions

• How often does the wind blow in your area, always, occasionally, or seldom?

• Is there a dominant direction for the wind in your area? How, other than recording data with a wind vane, could you detect the dominant wind direction?

Teacher Goals

• Students, as a group, will create a simple, durable wind vane.

Required Resources

• Thin board, about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide
  
  Drill a small hole in the center, in advance, to make nailing easier.

• Two large round beads (wooden or plastic)

• Two inch square or round dowel, 5 - 10 inches long

• Heavy cardboard

• Long nail

• Hammer

• Scissors

• Resource

  • Wind Vane/Student Checklist/Performance Rubric

Steps

1. Visual Directions

   A visual description of the weather vane is attached.

   • Weather Vane Visual.pdf

2. Adding Arrow

   Cut an arrow and a tail from the heavy cardboard.  Be sure it is an appropriate size to fit on the long thin board.  Cut a small slit in the arrow and the tail, and add them at a perpendicular angle to the long board.

3. Nailing Together

   With assistance from the teacher, nail the pieces together in the following order, from top to bottom:
   round bead
   board with tail & arrow attached
   round bead
   2 inch dowel standing tall

   BE SURE NOT TO NAIL TOO TIGHTLY SO THAT IT CAN SPIN FREELY!

4. Placement of Vane

   Place your new weather vane in a spot where it is not blocked on any side; for instance, avoid a location close to a building which would certainly block the wind from that direction.  You may stick it into the dirt, or place it into a coffee can filled with sand.

5. Marking Directions

   Around your weather vane, mark the 4 cardinal (N, S, W, E) and 4 intermediate (NE, NW, SE, SW) directions.  Be sure to use a compass so that you are accurate!

6. Engaging Questions

   a. How often does the wind blow in your area - always, occasionally, or seldom?
   b. Is there a dominant direction for the wind in your area?
   c. How, other than recording data with a wind vane, could you detect the dominant wind direction?

Teacher Notes

• Each student does not need a weather vane. Perhaps 2 or 3 per class will be sufficient.

• Be certain to help with the nailing part of the activity.

• Duration: Completing the weather vane should take under a one hour period.

Learner Notes

• If you are in elementary school, be sure that you have an adult help with the construction of this project. We do not want any accidents!

Mentor Notes

• Parents, after building this project, there are several activities you may do with it. From simply observing the direction of the wind, to graphing, predicting, and applying to other activities, this could lead to many educational experiences.