Feathers Science Projects
Various Feathers
Grades: Various
Summary: Try this activity to show children firsthand about the structure and uses of different types of feathers.
Try this activity to show children firsthand about the structure and uses of different types of feathers.
Did you know that each bird has different types of feathers that have different functions?
You may wish to refer to "Scientists Copy Penguin Feathers" in the January issue of Weekly Reader Edition 1 Science Spin for more information.
Materials:
* pictures of various types of birds
* a large variety of different types and sizes of feathers
* 18-inch by 24-inch pieces of poster board (one for each "model bird")
* glue
* marking pens
What Teacher's Can Do in Advance: Collect a wide variety of different types and sizes of feathers. Craft stores, craft catalogs, down pillows and comforters, a local children's zoo, and a pet shop are good resources.
Visit the school library to get a book on birds that contains pictures of downy, flight, and contour feathers. (See "Background Facts.") Try to find a drawing that identifies parts of the feather, such as the hollow shaft, web, barbs, and barbules.
On a separate sheet of poster board, draw an outline of a bird at rest, in flight, or with wings extended. Make the outline large enough that students can glue the various feathers to the "model bird." You may wish to make two or three "model birds" for this activity.
Directions:
1. Show children pictures of different types of birds.
2. Explain that each type of bird has feathers that help it live in its environment. 3. Show children an example of each type of feather: downy, contour, and flight. (See Background Facts.) Explain that each type of feather has a different job. 4. Give each child a feather to examine.
5. Ask each child to share one observation about her or his feather.
6. After you have discussed the three different kinds of feathers, have each child identify his or her feather as a downy, a contour, or a flight feather.
7. Help children group themselves according to their type of feather. Ask each group: What job does your type of feather do? Where do you think your feathers belong on a bird?
8. Ask each group to attach their particular feathers to the appropriate part of a bird outline. (See "What Teachers Can Do in Advance.") Show children how to use the glue to attach their feathers.
9. Ask children to point out the different feathers (downy, contour, and flight) on the "model birds" and tell what job each type of feather does.
Background Information: Not only do feathers keep a bird warm, they also help it fly. Each type of bird has feathers that help it live in its own environment. There are three main types of feathers: contour, flight, and downy.
Contour feathers are smooth. The feathers are often brightly colored and have different patterns. Contour feathers typically cover the head and the body of a bird.
Flight feathers have a central hollow shaft with webs on two opposite sides. Long flight feathers provide lightweight, yet solid surfaces to help the bird fly. These feathers are found on the bird's wings and tail.
Downy feathers are small, fluffy feathers mostly on the head and body of the bird. Downy feathers, found just underneath the contour feathers, protect the bird from extremes in temperature. The feathers have a very short shaft with many non-interlocking barbs. The structure of the downy feather creates lots of dead air spaces for good insulation.
Insulation is any material used to keep temperature from changing. Insulation usually works when pockets of air are captured and held around whatever is being insulated. That's why downy feathers are used inside hats, gloves, coats, jackets, and quilts to help keep us warm.
Waterbirds, such as penguins, may have as many as 12,000 feathers to keep them warm in icy waters. The stiff part of the feather protects the penguin from cold air and water, and the downy part traps pockets of warm air (body heat generated by the penguin) closer to the penguin's body.
Classroom Connection: Birds of a Feather Learning Center Provide an area close to the model birds created by children. Provide examples of each type of feather that children can examine closely with a hand lens. Include bird books and a diagram of the parts of a feather.
Using one of the largest feathers, gently pull apart the web of the feather. Allow children to use the hand lens to see the tiny barbules that project from the barbs of the feather. Ask: How do you think the barbs and barbules help hold the web of the feather together?
