How can we show that air is there? How can we make something invisible visible? If we forget that air is everywhere we'll have a tough time understanding air pressure. This activity piques kids' curiosity and starts them developing the mental models needed to understand air pressure.
Use this to learn and reinforce answers to questions such as:
❑ How can we show that air is matter (has mass and takes up space)?
❑ Why can it be hard to pour water into an empty bottle?
❑ When is a bottle empty?
Once students work through the activity, they can capture their observations using the included Lab Notes or probing questions included in the instructions.
Concepts Addressed
♦ Air is stuff (it has mass and takes up space).
♦ Matter can be invisible
♦ Matter takes up space
Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.
Materials Needed Nonconsummables: plastic bottle(s), polymer clay, funnel(s), tray or pan, cup. Copies of directions can be placed into page protectors or laminated.
Prep Time Collect materials, purchase polymer clay
Teaching Time About 30 mins or more depending on accompanying writing assignment.
Student Sheets Scaffolded writing prompts & lab reporting
