Materials:
- A balloon
- Scissors (adult help)
- Rubber or elastic band
- Glass or plastic jar (peanut butter or mason jar will work)
- Straw
- Tape
- Cardstock paper
- Markers, pencil, pen, etc.
- Spectacular Science How Much Does Air Weigh Video (below)
- An adult science helper!
Watch the portion of the video below to do the activity!
Directions: Cut the neck of the balloon off. Then, wrap it on the opening of the jar. Use a rubber band to secure it. Then, tape the straw on top of the balloon. Prop up a piece of cardstock or steady paper. Mark where the straw is pointing now. Mark the area above this median line “high” and below it “low”. Now, observe what happens to the straw over time. Does the position of the straw change with the weather?
It should! High air pressure means good or sunny weather, while low pressure means rainy or cold weather. Your DIY barometer will visually show you the changes in air pressure. Barometers are the same tool meteorologists use to forecast the weather.