Student Activities

Make Your Own Barometer

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Science
State Standards:
GA S4E4A.C. S4E2.B.

Objectives:


Students will learn about the scientific instrument called a barometer. They will be able to create their own barometer at home and record atmospheric pressure data. 

Background:  

Scientists who study the weather are called Meteorologists. Meteorologists collect weather data to create an accurate weather forecast. A Barometer is an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure. It is used in forecasting the weather and determining altitude. Low pressure systems usually mean stormy weather, and high-pressure systems mean clear weather. Atmospheric Pressure is the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on Earth. It has an average value of one atmosphere (1 atmosphere = 1 atm) at sea level but decreases with increasing altitude. It is also called barometric pressure.

 

Materials Needed:

  • An empty glass jar or a tin can

  • A latex balloon (new, not used!)

  • Rubber bands

  • Adhesive tape

  • 2 plastic drinking straws

  • 2 pieces of Cardstock paper

  • Ruler

Procedure:

  1. Watch Cumberland Island’s Weather Curriculum.

  2. Print Weather Activity.

  3. Create your own Barometer.

  4. Over a short period of time, collect and record local atmospheric pressure data.

Additional Resources:

 

Vocabulary:

weather, climate, science, meteorology, barometer, atmospheric pressure, low pressure, high pressure, forecast, altitude, elevation, atmospheres, pascals, millimeters of mercury

Tags:

weather, science, citizen science, make your own

Materials

Students will learn how to make their own Barometer at home.

Download Make Your Own Barometer

Tags: weather climate citizen science barometer atmospheric pressure data collection cumberland island national seashore

Last updated: March 24, 2021