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Investigation Question 2:
How can you tell the direction of the wind?
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Preparation
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Teaching and Learning Focus
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Understanding that air comes from different places at different times
is quite difficult to appreciate. However, wind direction, like wind speed,
is an important part of weather study and forecasting. In this investigation,
your students will design and build their own wind vane to help make observations
about wind direction.
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Materials Needed
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For each student group:
For wind vane shown in diagram:
- Wooden dowel, about 1 meter (3 feet) long and 2.5 mm (¼ inch)
diameter
- Wooden bead that slides onto the dowel, but stays in place*
- Wooden bead that fits snugly on the end of the dowel*
- Large binder clip
- 60 cm (2 feet) strip of lightweight plastic material cut from a plastic
trash bag
- Wood glue to hold the beads in place
- A simple magnetic compass
* tape, clay or glue can be used to adjust the fit of the beads if necessary
For student designed wind vanes:
a range of craft materials such as:
- String
- Safety scissors
- Masking tape
- Paper clips
- Construction paper
- Poster-board
- Aluminum foil
- Empty plastic bottles
- Cotton balls
- Small and medium plastic cupsThumb tacks
- Rubber bands
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Safety
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This investigation question is considered generally safe to do with students.
Please review the investigation for your specific setting, materials,
students, and conventional safety precautions.
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