Students will create a wind vane and use it to observe and record the direction of the wind over a two-week period.
What are some reasons wind is important to us? When are some times it is not good?
When would it be important to know the direction of the wind?
Students will become aware of the directions from which the wind comes in their area.
Students will create a weather vane and learn about its uses.
Students will become aware of some situations in which it might be important to know the direction of the wind.
Building a Wind Vane
An Aurora tool on How to Build A Wind Vane
Complete the making and setting up of the wind vane as instructed in the link under "Required Resources."
Each day, for a two-week period, observe the wind direction three times daily (morning, lunch time, and afternoon would be best). It is best to do it about the same times each day. Each week, have your teacher print out the Data Collection Sheet (under Rubrics) and write your information there.
At the end of the two-week period, look at your observations and see if you can see any pattern in the wind direction. You should draw your own conclusions and then fill out the form "Observing Wind Direction."
Discuss your conclusions. Teachers should encourage a conversation regarding situations in which knowing the direction of the wind might be important. Suggestions are given in the teacher notes.
Situations in which it might be important to know the direction of the wind are:
Flying an airplane (taking off and landing)
Kite flying
Hot air ballooning
Sailing or boating
Fire fighting
Avoiding being downwind from chemical accidents, etc.
Predicting weather
Working near windmills
Driving vans or other top-heavy vehicles
The Data Collection Sheet is under Required Resources. One Data Collection Sheet will be needed for each of the two weeks (two total).
Duration: Creation and set up of the wind vane should take about a one- hour period. Observation will take only 5 minutes, three times a day, for two weeks.
Building your wind vane will be fun! You can decorate it if you wish. Just be sure to have your teacher assist you when it is time to nail the pieces together.
When you are observing the direction of the wind, take time to think about other things that are occurring at the same time. When the wind is coming from the north, is it always cloudy? When there is a strong wind, is it always coming from a certain direction? Try to find patterns of this type.
Observation of the environment is an important skill for your son or daughter to develop. While this observation activity is going on, discuss what your daughter or son is noting. After the activity is finsihed, continue to reinforce the concepts of direction and the effects of wind.
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