Sky Watchers Weather Learning Stations - Grades 4, 5 and 6

Station 6 (PDF; 387 KB)

Summary

Students use storytelling and exploration with suction cups to learn about relative air pressure.

Real-world connection

• Vacuums as lower pressure.
• Sea breezes and land breezes.
• Low pressure associated with inclement weather.
• The history of science.
• Communication through storytelling and relating history through oral tradition.

Materials

• Suction cups (at least two)
• Optional: CD/tape player for students to listen to recording of story

Preparation

• "Under Pressure" story, one per station
• Student Handout, one per student
• Optional: Read aloud and record the "Under Pressure" story for students to listen to at the station.

Curriculum outcomes

Theme: Movement of Air: Low and High Pressure. For a complete list of curriculum outcomes, please go to the appropriate table at the end of this document.

References

Basca, Belinda and T. Grotzer. 2001. Focusing on the Nature of Causality in a Unit on Pressure: How Does it Affect Student Understanding? National Science Foundation. ED 456 029.

Hakim, J. 2005. The story of science: Newton at the center. New York: Smithsonian Books. Isabelle, Aaron D. 2007. Teaching Science Using Stories: The Storyline Approach. ScienceScope. 31(2):16-25.

Khan, Ian. (Personal communication with Environment Canada meteorologist. December 1, 2008.)

Sample, Sharon. It's a Breeze: How Pressure Affects You. Updated 22 January 2003.

Sea breeze. Edited 28 November 2008.