Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Air Pressure Demonstrations

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Various demonstrations from the Illinois Institute of Technology of air pressure that can be used as an introduction to a chapter or unit on weather or air. Great examples for visual learners.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Zoom Vehicle

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore forces of motion and properties of gasses by building a vehicle that runs along a string track powered by air pressure.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Balloon & Straw Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Investigate air pressure, motion and the forces of air currents using a bendy straw, a balloon and a rubber band.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Card Lift Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Demonstrate air pressure by using index cards to defy gravity.
Lesson Plan
McREL International

Mc Rel: Whelmer #12 Learning Activity: Bernoulli Cans

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
An easy to do activity that investigates Bernoulli's principle. The activity is presented in lesson plan format that meets NSES standards.
Website
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: How Does Atmospheric Pressure Work?

For Students 2nd - 8th
A fun exchange to understand what atmospheric pressure is.
Website
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: What Is Atmospheric Pressure

For Students 3rd - 9th
An introduction to atmospheric pressure is presented in this illustration.
Lesson Plan
Other

60 Second Science: Air Putting It to Work

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Investigate the properties of air. Observe the water vapor present in our exhaled breath.
Activity
Education.com

Education.com: An Air Science Experiment

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] With three simple items (ball of paper, 2 liter pop bottle & hair dryer) you can demonstrate the reality of air pressure. This experiment is user friendly.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physical Science: Bernoulli's Law

For Students 7th - 9th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Bernoulli's law and using air pressure to fly.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: High and Low Pressure Systems

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart provides an opportunity to sort high and low pressure system characteristics using a graphic organizer. Activote activity provides assessment of student learning.
Handout
National Snow and Ice Data Center

National Snow and Ice Data Center: Factors Affecting Arctic Weather and Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
An introduction to the factors that affect the Arctic's weather and climate: latitude, land/sea distribution, solar radiation, air temperature, air pressure, winds, humidity, clouds, and precipitation.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Egg in a Bottle

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Examine how differences in air pressure affect objects with this classroom experiment.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Collapsing Bottle Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Explore the effect of changing temperature on air pressure using a plastic soda bottle.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Balloon Car

For Students 3rd - 5th
Make 4-wheeled, air-powered cars that jet across the floor. Experiment with the design process and thrust in this activity from Design Squad Nation.
Handout
USA Today

Usa Today: How a Low Pressure System Affects Weather

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the fronts and weather patterns associated with low pressure areas.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Kids Science Projects and Experiments: Weight of Air

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn by experimenting with science. Project showing how air does have weight and creates air pressure.
Website
NASA

Nasa: How Air Pressure Affects You

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site from NASA offers a general overview of air pressure. Explores the concept through experiments and interactive games, as well as discussion questions.
Activity
Science is Fun

Science Is Fun: The Collapsing Can

For Students 4th - 8th
An experiment using an aluminum can and boiling water that demonstrates that the air around us has pressure, although we may not be aware of it.
Activity
Science Fun for Everyone

Science Fun: Ping Pong

For Students 2nd - 4th
Learn about air pressure with this easy science experiment that is not only fun but appears quite magical. A video tutorial is included.
Activity
Bill Nye

Bill Nye: A Wing and Some Air

For Students 1st - 5th
Try this at-home science experiment to learn about air pressure.
Activity
Bill Nye

Bill Nye: Barometer in a Bottle

For Students K - 1st
Try this at-home science experiment to learn how to build your own barometer.
Handout
MadSci Network

How Come When You Open a Window the Door Is Pulled In?

For Students 9th - 10th
From the Mad Scientist Network. Using a question and answer format, this page explains the answer to the question "How come when you open a window the door is pulled in?" This intriguing everyday phenomenon is explained in terms of air...
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Lab Work: Come Fly With Me

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site by the Illinois Institute of Technology lets students use a vacuum cleaner hose, ping pong balls, straws and other materials to investigate the effect of moving air upon the surfaces which it hits. Principles are applied as...