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How to Make Homemade Science Wind Vanes for Kids

When you are trying to interest your elementary school class in science, it helps to give the kids hands-on tasks that take them beyond just lectures. For example, if you are teaching about the atmosphere, the weather, and how we make measurements of these, you could help your students make wind vanes to make their own measurements. Make your own first so the children can see how you do it.

Things You'll Need

  • Construction paper
  • Safety scissors
  • Drinking straw
  • Clear tape
  • Pushpin
  • Pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a triangle on the construction paper with a pencil. This will serve as the front part of your weather vane's arrow. Cut out the shape with scissors.

    • 2

      Draw a rocket shape on the construction paper to be the tail fin of the arrow. Make it slightly larger than the triangle. Cut it out with scissors.

    • 3

      Tape the triangle to one end of the straw and the tail fin to the other end. Hold the straw on the tip of your finger and find the point at which it will balance. This is the arrow's center of gravity.

    • 4

      Stick the pushpin down through the center point of the straw and into the top of an eraser on a pencil. Take your wind vane outside and test it in the wind.

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