How to Make a Weather Vane for a School Project

You can create your own weather vane at home.

Students learn that scientists rely on various instruments to measure and record weather data. One of those instruments in a weather vane. Weather vanes are used to show the direction the wind is currently flowing. Teachers can organize a weather vane project during class time or require the project to be completed at home. Students will then be able to see a weather vane in action.

Things You'll Need

• Bamboo skewer
• Styrofoam ball
• Card stock
• Scissors
• Tape
• Soda bottle
• Sand
• Knitting needle

Instructions

1. Push a bamboo skewer directly through the center of a Styrofoam ball.

2. Cut an arrow out of card stock, then cut out a triangle. The triangle should be slightly larger than the arrow. Tape the arrow to the front end of a bamboo skewer and the triangle to the back end.

3. Fill a 16-ounce soda bottle with sand.

4. Press a knitting needle straight through your Styrofoam ball. It should pass directly behind or in front of the bamboo skewer so the two items are perpendicular to each other. Leave the knitting needle about an inch above the Styrofoam ball.

5. Drop the knitting needle down into the soda bottle to complete your weather vane. Test the weather vane with a fan or by blowing on it.

Tips & Warnings

• Salt can be used in place of sand.

• Place the weather vane on the ground. Put north, south, east and west labels on the ground surrounding the weather vane so that the students can see which direction the wind is blowing.

References

• TeacherVision: Building a Weather Vane
• Salem Clock Shop: Quick Wind Vane