By watching and performing several simple experiments, students develop an understanding of the properties of air: it has mass, it takes up space, it can move, it exerts pressure, it can do work.

Air pressure is pushing on us all the time although we do not usually notice it. This activity will discuss the units of pressure and give the students a sense of just how much air pressure is pushing on them.

This learning pathway provides you with experiments, anecdotes and videos, pictures and descriptions of Palace of Miracles exhibits related to the Archimedes' Principle.

Did you know that air has weight? This illustrated essay from the NOVA Web site explores conditions that affect air density and atmospheric pressure.

Experiment with a helium balloon, a hot air balloon, or a rigid sphere filled with different gases. Discover what makes some balloons float and others sink.

Rockets need a lot of thrust to get into space. In this lesson, students learn how rocket thrust is generated with propellant. The two types of propellants are discussed and relation to their use on rockets is investigated. Students learn why engineers need to know the different properties of propellants.

This activity has students create a Cartesian diver, which will act in some ways like a submarine. Students will adjust the amount of air and water in an inverted test tube (the "diver") so that it at first barely floats in a water-filled bottle. Then, they will squeeze the closed bottle to create higher water pressure, causing the diver to sink. Releasing the bottle allows the diver to float again. Written instructions, a list of materials, and illustrations are included.

Students acquire a basic understanding of the science and engineering of space travel as well as a brief history of space exploration. They learn about the scientists and engineers who made space travel possible and briefly examine some famous space missions. Finally, they learn the basics of rocket science (Newton's third law of motion), the main components of rockets and the U.S. space shuttle, and how engineers are involved in creating and launching spacecraft.

Students use a sponge and water model to explore the concept of relative humidity and create a percent scale.

In these videos adapted from the Journal of Chemical Education, observe how a material that is usually hard to ignite becomes very flammable when its particles are suspended in air.

While we know there is air around us all the time, we normally do not notice the air pressure. The purpose of this is activity is to use Bernoulli's Principle to manipulate air pressure so we can see its influence on the objects around us.

Pump gas molecules to a box and see what happens as you change the volume, add or remove heat, change gravity, and more. Measure the temperature and pressure, and discover how the properties of the gas vary in relation to each other.

Students explore the effects of regional geology on bridge foundation, including the variety of soil conditions found beneath foundations. They learn about shallow and deep foundations, as well as the concepts of bearing pressure and settlement.

Students build and observe a simple aneroid barometer to learn about changes in barometric pressure and weather forecasting.

Students learn about the underlying engineering principals in the inner workings of a simple household object -- the faucet. Students use the basic concepts of simple machines, force and fluid flow to describe the path of water through a simple faucet. Lastly, they translate this knowledge into thinking about how different designs of faucets also use these same concepts.

In this lab, the student will review the physiology of the organ systems by using images of models, experiments, and videos. Then the student will be asked to assess his or her knowledge, which can eventually be put to practical or experimental use. Upon successful completion of this lab supplement, students will be able to: describe techniques used to measure the function of organ systems; relate diagnostic tools, such as those used to measure ECG, EEG, and EMG activity, and those used in spirometry and urinalysis tests, to the physiological processes; relate diagnostic tests, such as the patellar and plantar reflex tests, to physiological processes; perform laboratory observations and experiments; collect, analyze, and interpret data; and form conclusions. (Biology 304 Laboratory)

Students develop an understanding of air pressure by using candy or cookie wafers to model how it changes with altitude, by comparing its magnitude to gravitational force per unit area, and by observing its magnitude with an aluminum can crushing experiment.

This activity introduces students to the basic physics concepts on how rockets work through the building and testing of a model rocket fueled by an antacid. Students have the opportunity to revise and improve their initial design. Note: This activity is similar to film canister rockets that students make in elementary school but is adapted for middle school.

Students learn the components of the rock cycle and how rocks can change over time under the influence of weathering, erosion, pressure and heat. They learn about geotechnical engineering and the role these engineers play in the development of an area of land, the design and placement of new structures, and detection of natural disasters.