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Homemade Wind Vane or Weather Vane Science

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I have a fun homemade Wind Vane science activity for you to try out today!

 

homemade wind vane

We had fun learning how to track which direction the wind is blowing. I actually got this set from the Magic School Bus science kits that we have been getting this year, which are a lot of fun.  But it is so simple to make that  I wanted to share!

What is a Weather Vane?

A weather vane, also called a wind vane is an object that is used to show the direction the wind is blowing.  They are often put on the top of a roof. Often they are decorative and ornamental, such as the rooster weather vane that is common on farms. They usually have the letters signifying North, East, South and West and an arrow that points in the direction that the wind is blowing.

Weather vanes have been around since the 2nd century BCE. They were invented both in China and Greece around the same time period. The word vane means flag in old English.

 

Supplies for a Homemade Wind Vane or Weather Vane:

Template: Download Here- Homemade Weather Vane

Small piece of clay
Straw
Cardstock to print the template
Wooden skewer
Tape

How to Make a Weather Vane

You will need 2 double headed arrows cut from cardstock labeled E & W, N & S.  Then you will need one more single sided arrow.  (Download my Homemade Weather Vane Template Here)

Stick the dowel into the clay. Punch holes in the middle of each double headed arrow and slide them both onto the skewer. Slide the straw onto the top. Tape the other arrow to the top of the straw.

Take your wind vane outside and adjust the bottom arrows to point in the correct direction.
(N-S-E-W)  The wind will blow the top arrow and point in the wind is blowing!

You could do this to track the wind direction for a few days & record your results.

 

Discussions Ideas:

Talk about weather and the directions of wind. Wind direction changes usually accompany changes in the weather. The air flows around low pressure systems.  A wind shifting from the south often means warmer air is approaching and a wind from the north often means cooler air is approaching.

See More Weather Activities:

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