Activities for students and teachers

• Activity 1: What is air made of?
  This activity discusses the properties and functions of air. Our air is made up of many different gases. You will make a diagram using an empty milk jug to show what air is made of. It's not all oxygen and CO₂.
• Activity 2: Air has weight!
  Visually demonstrate that air has weight to your class. With these directions you will make your own balance with a balloon on each side. Fill them up an even amount and start letting air out of one balloon.
• Activity 3: Crud catcher and air strips.
  This activity is used to show there are small particles in the air. In this activity you will make a "crud catcher" with an empty carton of milk and double sided tape. Hang it in an area that is most likely to collect particles and see what you come up with in a week/weekend.
• Activity 4: Burning causes air pollution.
  Air pollution can sometimes be invisible to us. This activity shows that even though you can't see the air pollution, it is really there.
• Activity 5: The power of our lungs.
  Students will realize how much air they need in order to survive each day and estimate the number of breaths they will take in their lifetime.
• Activity 6: What do you smell?
  Using an onion and your students' noses, see how fast particles go through the air and the effect of air circulation. Chart the time the first student smelled the onion to when the last student smelled the onion.
• Activity 7: Temperature inversions.
  Mimic atmospheric conditions by using hot and cold water. Show how cold air is generally "heavy" and warm air is "light."
• Activity 8: Whirling, swirling air pollution.
  This exercise takes you through an average day of your life. Using jars of water, which acts as the airshed, and food coloring for the pollution you cause during the day. Go through your daily routine and see what happens to the water by the time you are done.

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