Background

A wind vane is really just a flat piece of metal or wood on a swivel that catches the wind and points toward and away from the wind. You have probably seen pictures of a wind vane on top of a barn. It is usually shaped like a farm animal such as a horse or a rooster. It usually has an arrow to point in the direction the wind is blowing. However, wind is described in terms of where it is blowing from. For example, a west wind blows east.

Materials

• 3 ft x 3 ft piece of thin wood or plastic
• bicycle wheel or skate wheel or lazy susan
• saw
• screws
• plastic or metal letters, “N, E, W, S”
• sand paper or file

1. Cut an interesting shape from wood or plastic. Be sure to include a pointer. Round all edges except the bottom.

2. Mount the shape to your chosen swivel.

3. Install your wind vane on top of a tall pole or on the roof of a shed or house.

4. Keep a log of the wind direction as observed several times a day.