Wind Energy: Force and Direction

For this lesson, we used the chapter called "Wind In Your Socks" from NASA's Aeronautics Educator Guide. Instead of using paper to make our windsocks, though, we used a variety of plastic recycled items, and a hot glue gun instead of tape for a more permanent result.

Step 1:

Cut a ring from the top of a plastic food container and prepare a plastic or foil bag by cutting off the seams so that it will lay flat. Wipe any remaining food particles from the surface of the bag if you need  to. This one used to have dog food in it.

Step 2:

Using a hot glue gun, attach the bag to the plastic ring. Trim off any excess.

Step 3:

Cut the bag into strips up to the plastic collar.

Step 4:

Punch 2 or 3 holes at equal distances apart on the plastic collar. Tie some strong string to each hole, then tie them together in the middle onto a paper clip. Tie on a long piece to hang it with.

A leftover party bag and a yogurt cup make a great windsock!

Step 5:

Discuss the questions from the lesson above, and any others that come up. Then go to the site of your future playgarden and set up your windsock. We tied one to a tall stick and then drove a metal post into the ground and tied the stick to it. Next, use a compass to mark North, South, East and West by poking sticks into the ground and tying on brightly colored ribbon.

Step 6:

Observe the wind speed and direction. Remember the wind direction will be to the compass point opposite to the direction the windsock blows, since winds are named by where they come from, not where they are going. Use the speed chart from the lesson linked to above for comparison. Also, look up your local weather on the Internet. If the website has the feature, choose to get instant updates from the nearest weather station. Then compare the speeds and directions with your windsock activity. We found that the big, stready gusts were in agreement with the station, but the smaller puffs were not. Talk about how trees, building, mountains and other objects might alter the speed and direction of the wind. If desired, fill out the worksheet included in the lesson.

What other objects in Nature indicate wind speed and direction?

You may also want to set up windsocks at different heights and observe any differences in speed and direction.

If you like, you can make up some beautiful windsocks using recycled materials and adding colorful ribbons and streamers. These can be used as gifts for your sponsors and to help raise funds for your playgarden. Send us your pictures and we will put them in the gallery!