Wind vane

Wind Vane

A wind vane, also known as a weather vane, is a tool used for determining the direction that the wind is blowing. These instruments have been in use for centuries.They come in many designs, from sleek and professional to ornamentally fun, and can be made at home. Wind vanes are so popular that there even is a dispute about the largest one in the world.

Wind vanes can only measure wind directions a few meters off the ground. The instrument consists of an arrangement of a direction pointer, the two ends of which are known as the "tail" and "nose," pointing toward the direction from where the wind is going and the direction it is coming from, respectively. This is made possible due to the inherent design whereby the smaller area turns into the wind

Making A Wind Vane

 

 

 

 

 

You Will Need

• 2 paper plates
• Scissors
• Poster board
• Plastic straw
• Straight pin
• Pencil with new eraser
• Modeling clay
• Glue
• Compass
• Crayons (optional)
• Styrofoam plate (optional)

Step 1: Write the directions

Write the four directions — east, west, north and south — equally spaced along the outer edges of an inverted paper plate.

Make the project personal by decorating the plate with crayons.

Step 2: Cut shapes

Use scissors to cut an arrow point and an arrow tail from poster board, making each about 2 inches in length.

Cut the shapes from a Styrofoam plate if poster board is unavailable.

Step 3: Make slits in straw

Make small slits at each end of the straw using scissors.

Step 4: Place the shapes

Place one of the poster board shapes into a slit at each end of the straw to create an arrow. This will later point to the direction the wind is blowing.

Step 5: Insert pin

Insert a straight pin through the center of the straw, and then into the eraser tip of the pencil, making sure to leave ample space for spinning at the upper and lower sides of the straw.

Step 6: Set pencil

Set the pencil by pushing its point through the center of the paper plate, and then sticking it into a lump of modeling clay serving as a base.

Test the wind vane by gently blowing it.

Step 7: Place on second plate

Place the structure on a second paper plate, and then glue the plates together with the clay mound inside.

Step 8: Move outdoors

Move the wind vane outdoors after the glue dries, and then align the directions using a compass. Watch the arrow go to work! By learning what type of weather is associated with wind directions in your area, it’s a breeze to forecast conditions.

Video Of Making The Wind Vane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnZ5LYI19Vo

Credits to:Howcast.com,wisegeek.com,ehow.com