The Wind (Wonderful information and includes a science activity)
After watching an episode from The Magic School Bus Rides Again with my son I was fascinated by how they explained the wind to the kids.
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What is wind?
Wind is air that moves and is caused by the differences in air pressure within our atmosphere.
When air is under high pressure it moves to areas with a low pressure. Air flows faster when the difference in pressure is greater.
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What causes wind?
In general we will say that the wind is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun.
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Short video to explain windpower
(NOTE: Sorry for the upside down video, it is the only one that explained wind the best for me)
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How can we use wind?
We use wind to create energy from wind turbines and especially on farms we also use wind to draw water from the earth through windmills.
Wind Turbine Image Source
Wind Mill Image Source
Even though we can use wind to help us through creating energy and drawing water from windmills it can also become so strong that it can destroy:
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Science activity to learn more about wind.
Make a kite
You will need the following:
- Multi-Color Construction Paper
- Wooden skewers
- Jumbo Triangular Pencils
- Yarn
- Toilet paper rolls
- Colored paper tape
- Twist ties
Instructions
- Take a construction paper and cut a diamond shape out of it.
- Allow your kids to decorate the kite.
- Take the wooden skewers and cut them to fit the length and width to the kite. Twist the twist ties around the wooden skewers to hold them together.
- Use paper tape to tape the skewers to the corners of the kite.
- Tape one end of the yarn to the empty toilet paper roll and then wind a bunch of the yarn around it.
- Tie the other side of the yarn to the skewers and then go outside.
- Go outside and run around with your kite if the wind isn't blowing, but if the wind is blowing there is an extra bonus.
Wind strings
You will need the following:
- A fan
- Long strands of paper.
Instructions
- Tape the strands to the fan and put the fan on.
- Watch how the strands start moving when the fan is put on.
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Interesting info! Thanks for sharing. I am not a scientific person by any means, but I know that I can not stand a windy day. lol.
Thank you!
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Thank you for your comment. Glad you learn something. Will be visiting your post
I am an early childhood teacherand one of my favourite activities to describe wind is just making paper darts. Children can learn that different shapes will move in the wind in different ways. They are also learning gross and fine motor skills and how to problem solve
Thank you. Honestly didn't think about this. Thank you for the idea.
I wrote an essay about it :) you can add weight to the back or the front of them and ask the children what will happen - e.g. will the fly faster or slower etc.. It is a great activity lots of fun and the children love making paper darts!