What direction will the wind carry a weather balloon? A wind vane will let you know by showing you from which direction the wind is blowing. Follow the steps below to make your own wind vane.
Materials:
You'll need a large feather, a long nail with a large head, a plastic straw, scissors, an 8-inch (20 centimeter) square of sturdy corrugated cardboard and wide transparent tape. You'll also need a compass.
Steps:
1. Find what looks like the center of the cardboard square. Draw crisscrossing lines to evenly divide the square into four equal parts. Label these N, E, S, W. Mark points halfway between each of these main compass headings and label them with the appropriate directions, NE, SE, SW, and NW.
2. Press the nail's point against the center spot. Wiggle it, if necessary, to drill it through the cardboard. Place a strip of tape over the nail head to hold it tightly against the cardboard.
3. Cut a piece of straw slightly longer than the length of the nail sticking out of the cardboard. Slip the straw over the nail.
4. Hold the feather so it's horizontal and the broad face of the plume is toward you. Use tape to anchor the feather to the straw where the plume ends. If the quill extends quite a ways beyond the straw and seems tippy, press a dab of modeling clay on the tip to balance it.
5. Take the wind vane outdoors. Use the compass to aim the spot labeled North on the base toward the North. Then see what direction the quill tip of the feather points.