Foundation for Water & Energy Education
How is Flowing Water an Energy Source? Activity B
Explore the world's water without leaving the classroom! In this second of three uncomplicated but wonderful activities, physical science learners feel the pressure of water. They discover that the deeper the water, the stronger the...
Teach Engineering
A Shot Under Pressure
You've got to pump it up! Using the equations for projectile motion and Bernoulli's Principle, class members calculate the water pressure in a water gun. The pupils collect data on the number of pumps and distance traveled in order...
University of Waikato
Buoyancy in Water
Change where an object floats in water. Pupils experiment with a Cartesian diver by squeezing on the side of a plastic bottle. Learners pay attention to the bulb of the pipette as the bottle is squeezed to determine what is happening...
Royal Society of Chemistry
A Cartesian Diver—Classic Chemistry Experiments
Sometimes the simplest experiments leave the biggest impression! Introduce young chemists to the Cartesian Diver by having them make one of their own. Use the Diver to further their study of liquids and gases, as well as compression.
Teach Engineering
Rock and Boat
Present the class with a question on whether the water level of a pond will rise they take a large rock out of a boat and drop it into the pond. Groups come down on all sides of the question and try to justify their answers. The activity...
Curated OER
Experience Gravity Free Water
Students complete an experiment with a glass of water and cover the opening with cardboard and turn it over. In this gravity lesson plan, students observe how air pressure does not allow the cardboard to fall and let the water out.
It's About Time
Volcanos and the Atmosphere
In the summer of 1815, snow fell every month in New England. Was this related to the volcanic eruption of Tambora in Indonesia earlier in the year? Young scientists design their own experiments to research the long-term effect a volcanic...
Museum of Science
Cloud in a Bottle
Perhaps one day humans will learn to control the weather. Future scientists simulate clouds and fog in a plastic bottle. They conduct an experiment where they place smoke and hot water in the bottle, then squeeze and release repeatedly....
Weather Wiz Kids
Cloud in a Bottle
This resource provides a short experiment for students to explore how clouds are formed.
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Gas Laws in Action - Propane
Using helium as an example of propane, physical science middle schoolers experiment with and graph the relationship between temperature and volume in gases. In a whole-class demonstration, they show how molecules behave under different...
American Chemical Society
Soda Can Steam Engine
Steam engines have been around since the late 1600s, yet most pupils don't know how they work. Using an soda can, the instructor builds a simple steam engine for scholars to observe. Through a discussion, young scientists learn about the...
Fairfax Public Schools
Walter Dean Myers
If you are reading works by Walter Dean Myers in your class, this resource might be worth a look. Included here are activities and discussion questions for Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary, Somewhere in the Darkness, Scorpions, Fallen...
Science Bob Pflugfelder
Science Bob: Make a Cartesian Diver!
This site presents a procedure for creating a cartesian diver, a miniature submarine which rises or sinks depending upon the water pressure within a closed bottle. The site also introduces basic concepts of water and air pressure.
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Can You Stand the Pressure
Science experiment that demonstrates the four states or phases of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of how you change water from a liquid state to a gaseous...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Bottle Fountain Experiment
Demonstrate how heating expands air molecules by constructing a bottle fountain powered by air pressure.
Other
Easy Science Experiments: The Incredible Can Crusher
Can you crush a soda pop can with your bare hands? Try this experiment where with the help of air pressure you can show your friends what kind of strength you have. Make sure you stay safe! There is a video included.
Science Bob Pflugfelder
Science Bob: Oobleck: The Cornstarch and Water Experiment
Try this fun and easy experiment to learn about "Non-Newtonian" liquids.
University of Maryland
University of Maryland: Boiling Water by Pumping
A page from the University of Maryland Physics Lecture Demonstration Facility. Provides directions for a teacher demonstration which utilizes a Bell jar and vacuum pump to show the dependency of boiling point upon pressure. Shows...
Other
Steve Spangler Science: Soda Bottle Prank
This resource demonstrates atmospheric pressure using a soda bottle and water.
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Pop Rockets
An experiment where students launch a simple rocket using a film canister, water, and an antacid tablet.
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: The Collapsing Can
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.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Make Some Zlime
Explore properties of matter by making a slimy substance out of cornstarch and water then noticing how it reacts to pressure.
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society: Best of Wonder Science: There's Air in There! [Pdf]
An experiment to obsevre the effects of air pressure on the water level inside a bottle.
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society: Best of Wonder Science: Air: It's Really There [Pdf]
An experiment to explore the properties of air, using a cup placed upsidedown in water.