Activity (Hands-On)Grades 4 - 6
Barometric Pressure: Good News – We're on the Rise!
Students learn about barometric pressure and weather forecasting.Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1983-2001.
Students build and observe a simple aneroid barometer to learn about changes in barometric pressure and weather forecasting.
Often, pollutants that damage the environment and affect public health are carried by the wind hundreds of miles from their origins. Engineers must understand barometric air pressure and analyze wind patterns to track the source of air pollution, and predict the future path and expected dispersion of traveling air pollution. Engineers use this information to monitor and reduce pollution levels and determine new pollution prevention programs.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Understand and explain how a barometer works.
- Build a model aneroid barometer and use it to indicate when atmospheric pressure is rising or falling.
- Graph the changes in barometric pressure during a two-week period.