Pinwheels in the Wind
[25 Minutes]
In 1806, Francis Beaufort, an English Admiral and hydrographer, invented the Beaufort wind scale. This is a measurement used by mariners and meteorologists to measure the velocity (speed) of wind. The scale is from 0-12, with 0 for calm and 12 for hurricane force. On a day with a gentle to moderate wind, make this pinwheel, point it into the wind, and watch how it catches the breeze.
You'll need:
• sheet of paper, 4" X 4" • crayons • unsharpened pencil • scissors • tape • straight pin
What to do:
- If possible, print out these directions. Read them through with your child before you begin.
- With your child, gather everything you'll need.
- Let your child begin by decorating the square of paper with crayons. He might like to try a geometric design or pattern of colors.
- Invite him to draw lines with a pencil from each corner diagonally to 1/2 inch from the center.
- Show him how to fold the left corner of each resulting triangle to the center and tape it, overlapping each corner.
- To complete the pinwheel, attach the pinwheel to a pencil eraser with a straight pin.
- Enjoy some fresh air together as you test it out.
How to use:
Invite your child to find ways to make the pinwheel move. Encourage him to experiment with squares of paper that are larger and see how well the pinwheels work.
Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.
- What makes the pinwheel spin fastest?
- What happens to the design on your paper when the pinwheel spins fast?
- Do you think this is how a windmill works? How else is the wind useful?
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