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Pinwheel

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The Goal: To build a working pinwheel

 

The Project: 

  1. Give students supplies such as in the first picture, below.

  2. Ask students to look at the second picture below and try to figure out how to make a working pinwheel just by looking at that picture and using the provided supplies. (not looking up idea online)

  3. After they have done some building and testing, show them one or more options that work.

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I did this with 8th graders as part of a wind energy/engineering unit. It kept them fully engaged for and hour and a half class. I also did a version with Kindergarten where I pre-made some of it and took them step-by-step through the process. There are lots of online videos on this that offer varying degrees of reliable success.

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Link to instructions on making a pinwheel 

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Some samples

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