DIY Weather Vane

Science is my favorite subject to teach and the kids' favorite subject to learn.  But every once in awhile, we run into a stumbling block for some piece of equipment or something I can't get my hands on right away.  So thankful for the DIY life.

This past spring Lydia and I were studying weather with Evan-Moore and needed a weather vane to study wind direction.  Right there in the lesson was an idea for making your own.  It's super easy so I'm sharing it here for anyone in a similar situation.

All you need is:

A paper plate

Some clay (or playdoh)

A pencil

A straight pin

A straw

Some cardboard

And some chalk

1. Stick your pencil in some clay and place it on the plate.  This is your base.

2. Cut two arrows from cardboard and adhere to each end of the straw with tape.  One arrow should be slightly larger than the other.

3.  Insert your straight pin through the middle of the straw and into the eraser on the tip of the pencil.  

4. Place outside and write directions around the plate.  Ours was in the driveway.

See?  Super easy!  And it works.  I was a little skeptical at first, but we checked it out several times throughout the day and it was awesome.  

Have you ever stumbled on a DIY during the school hours?