Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Air Particles and Air Quality
What does the phrase, "Like a breath of fresh air," mean to you? This common phrase can have different meanings: calming, relaxing, invigorating, energizing or clean. In this experiment you will test the quality of air by measuring the...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Under Pressure: Ball Bouncing Dynamics
Many sports use a ball in some way or another. We throw them, dribble them, hit them, kick them, and they always bounce back. What makes a ball so bouncy? In this experiment you can investigate the effect of air pressure on ball bouncing.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Parachutes: Does Size Matter?
Experiment with different sizes of parachutes to find out if size matters when slowing the descent of the parachute. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction,...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Understanding How Food Becomes Rancid
In this cooking and food science fair project, the student will determine how light and air can oxidize fat in potato chips and cause the chips to go rancid. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Does a Wind Meter Work?
On a windy day it is hard to keep your hat on. The power of the wind can even be strong enough to power large wind turbines to make electricity. In this experiment, find out how you can make your own instrument to measure the speed and...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Up, Up, and Away in Your Own Hot Air Balloon!
In this science fair project, students will make hot-air balloons using a toaster and dry-cleaning bags, and see how the size of the balloon affects its flight. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Porosity and Particle Size
Often, when we think of something that is solid we think about rocks. But in reality, rocks have tiny holes of air inside them. This is called porosity. In this experiment you can find out what it means to be "solid as a rock."
Other
Air Blaster: Smoke Ring Launcher
Steve Spangler shows how you can blow a cup off of your friends head and his or her papers off the desk with this "air blaster" or "AirZooka." Demonstrate that air does take up space and how air moves. What fun!
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Air Is All Around You
In this science instructional activity students will be asked the question, "Does air take up space?" and "Does air have weight?" Students will conduct experiments that prove that air has mass, takes up space, and exerts pressure.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Ozone Depletion
The ozone layer is important for blocking most of the harmful radiation that comes from the sun. You can find maps of the ozone layer and compare different regions of the globe for ozone coverage. Some scientists think that aerosols in...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Tired Weight
Learn how the air pressure in tires can be used to determine the weight of an automobile.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Balancing Ball
Experience the same lift that flies airplanes with this activity where you suspend a ball in a stream of air. This activity illustrates Bernoulli's principle.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Water Bottle Membranophone
Try making this instrument that incorporates a stretched membrane. As air is blown into the attached bottle, sound vibrations are produced. With the addition of finger holes, different sounds can be made.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Bernoulli Levitator
This activity illustrates Bernoulli principle by suspending an object in the air by blowing down on it.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Fog Chamber
Create a fog chamber by rapidly expanding air in a jar in this activity. This activity uses a match in a jar to bunch water into tiny droplets.
Science Bob Pflugfelder
Science Bob: Make a Simple Duck Call!
Contains a procedure for using a plastic straw to create a device capable of producing a duck call when air is passed through. The site introduces the concept of vibration in sound production.
Other
Schlumberger Excellence in Education Development: The Permeability of Soil
This resource includes an experiment to show where rainwater goes. Discover the different layers of soil and what each layer is made of.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Bill Nye Demonstration: Candle in a Bottle
Watch and learn with Bill Nye the Science Guy as he demonstrates this classic candle experiment. [0:57]
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Barometer in a Bottle
Try this at-home science experiment to learn how to build your own barometer.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Epa: Acid Rain
What are the causes and effects of acid rain in our environment? To learn more about this serious environmental issue check out this website. Contains a page with several acid rain activities for students.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Lose a Glass in a Glass
This is an activity that should only be done outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, with adult supervision, as it involves paint thinner. It demonstrates the concept of the index of refraction for different materials, in this case that...