Student Activity 1: The Strength of Air Pressure

• activity worksheets (3) and reference sheet, 1 set per student; How Great Is Atmospheric Pressure? - Worksheet 1, Amount of Air Pressure on a Square Table and Graph - Worksheet 2, Air Pressure Chart - Worksheet 3, Air Pressure vs. Altitude Data and Graph Reference Sheet
• graph paper, 1-square-inch grid; 1 sheet per student; online source of printable graph paper: http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-6169.html
• index cards, 1 per student
• sets of 4 objects that will be weighed, such as a textbook, novel, magazine and dictionary; 1 set per group (have one group weigh themselves as the objects)
• tape, to share with the class
• balance (triple beam, small digital, bathroom scale, etc.), to share with the class

Student Activity 2: Air Pressure and Altitude

• Necco or Vanilla Wafers, or colored tiles/blocks, 14 per student
• paper, pencil, ruler; for each student
• (optional) 1 gallon of water, to show students what 8.5 lbs. of weight feels like

Demo 1: Aluminum Can Crush

• 1 aluminum soda can
• 1 large beaker or bucket
• 1 hot plate
• 1 pair of tongs
• 1 cup tap water
• bucket of ice water
• (optional) trivet, to prevent damage to counter top from heated can