How to Make a Windmill Experiment

Paper windmill

Creating a paper windmill is a fun craft and a great science experiment to illustrate wind or electricity production. It is cheap and easy to make, and it can be made with supplies that are already found in the classroom.

Things You'll Need

• 5-by-5-inch piece of construction paper
• Scissors
• Brad
• Craft glue
• Straw

Instructions

1. Fold the construction paper in half. Fold it in half a second time, and then unfold it completely.

2. Cut along each fold toward the center, but do not cut all the way through. Each cut should be approximately 2 inches. This will create triangles.

3. Fold the corner of one triangle toward the middle. Fold the second triangle in the same way. Continue folding the corners of the triangles toward the center and clockwise, until all triangles have been folded.

4. Insert the brad through the center of the windmill. Fold over the tabs of the brad to hold the triangles in place.

5. Place a dime-size amount of craft glue on the back center of the windmill. Stick the side of the top end of the straw to the glue. Allow to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If the brad will not work, try gluing the triangle corners. Take the windmill outside on a windy day. Watch the wind blow through the windmill to make it spin. Discuss how the spinning would create electricity if the windmill was connected to a generator.

• Be careful not to cut all the way through when cutting the folds or the triangles will not be right.

Resources

• How Windmills Work