The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Weather - Air Pressure
Weather - Air Pressure
A 4th grade STEM lesson
Author:
Phyllis Lussier
Date: June 20, 2024
Notes for teachers
Use this powerpoint to guide your lesson on barometers and how to create their own barometer. It has step by step directions and picture to help as well.
List of Materials
Science Standards
4.E1U1.8 -Collect, analyze, and interpret data to explain weather and climate patterns.
Background info from ADE Science Standards described: Weather is the minute-by-minute to day-by-day variation of the atmosphere’s condition on a local scale. Scientists record the patterns of the weather across different times and areas so that they can make predictions about what kind of weather might happen next. Climate describes the ranges of an area’s typical weather conditions and the extent to which those conditions vary over years to centuries. 4 (p. 188)
Science and Engineering Practices
Developing and using a model
Planning and carrying out investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Math Standards
4.MD.B.4-Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements
Objective(s):
Agenda (lesson time)
Creating the barometer will take teams of students about 30 minutes to create.
Then determine how many days you would like the barometer to be read.
After each reading have students record data, enter on the line plot graph.
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
Have you ever wondered how the weather person can predict it will rain or snow? How do they know it will be sunny or cloudy?
What is a barometer? What is its purpose?
Air is filled with tiny things called molecules that have weight, so air has weight. A barometer is used to measure the weight of the air pressing down on you. The air pressure reading that comes from the barometer is called the barometric pressure. Today we will learn about how the barometric pressure helps meteorologists predict the weather.
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Creating your own aneroid barometer.
3. Wrap the rubber band around
the balloon where it connects
to the jar. Be sure to wrap it
tightly. We do not want any air
to escape.
4. Take the skewer and glue one
end to the center of the ballon
so it stretches outward. See
pic.
Assessment
Formative assessment would be to check their science notebooks for data entry and the creation of the line plot graph. Have student write about how they would improve the model of the barometer. Ask if they have any ideas on how to make a model of a water barometers since they now have an idea of how they work.
Summative assessment could be have them write a short essay on “How do barometers work and why are they an important invention?”
Differentiation
Some students may have trouble with creating a line plot with their collected data.
I always prefer students to create their own graph but as an accommodation, you would create a blank one and assist with them recording their collected data.
You could also bring in information about the other types of barometer if they are still struggling with the concept.
Having a meteorologist come in to speak to the class would always be a plus.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
See powerpoint for extension details.
Brief description:
We are not able to control Mother Nature but what if we tested it? Have one group use ice cold water. Another group use very hot water and the third group use room temperature water.
Make a prediction on what will have when the jar is submerged into each water.
Have them submerge the jar in the water and record the results. Where you right??