To understand that there is energy in the wind
Age Group: under 10
Aim of the activity: to understand that there is energy in the wind. It can be hard to understand how we can get energy out of the wind - something we cannot even see. By making and playing with a pinwheel young people can see that the wind is able to turn things. On a large scale it can turn wind turbines, which convert the energy into electricity which we can use.
You will need: heavy coloured paper, pins and new pencils with rubbers on end (or plastic straws and paper fasteners), scissors
Duration: 20 minutes
What to do:
Cut coloured paper into 18cm squares. Lightly fold the square diagonally (top left to bottom right, then top right to bottom left). Use scissors to cut in about 3/4 along each fold (leave 2.5 cm uncut at the middle) You will now have 8 tips. Fold every other tip into the centre. Hold them overlapped, and push a pin through all the tips at the centre, into a rubber at the end of a pencil. (Don't let the pin stick out the other side). Alternatively you could use paper fasteners, and plastic straws.
Young children will need some help with the cutting, and pins.
On a windy day, take the pinwheels outside and see them spin in the wind. Explain that this shows how much energy there is in the wind.