Science · Grade 2 · Air and Water in the Environment · Term 3

Air All Around Us

Students will conduct experiments to demonstrate that air exists, takes up space, and has properties.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• 2-PS1-1

About This Topic

The Power of Air explores the invisible but physical nature of the atmosphere. In the Ontario Grade 2 curriculum, students are challenged to prove that air takes up space, has weight, and can exert pressure. This unit moves students from thinking of air as 'nothing' to recognizing it as a vital substance that interacts with everything in our environment. They learn how air can move objects and how it is essential for the survival of living things.

Understanding air is foundational for later studies in weather and flight. This topic is exceptionally well-suited for simulations and collaborative investigations. When students use syringes to feel air resistance or design parachutes to see air in action, they are gathering physical evidence for an invisible force. These active learning strategies help bridge the gap between abstract concepts and concrete reality, making the 'invisible' visible through its effects.

Key Questions

1. Explain how we can prove air is real even though we cannot see it.
2. Design an experiment to show that air takes up space.
3. Predict what will happen when air is pushed into a deflated balloon.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate that air occupies space by using a sealed container and water.
• Explain that air has mass and exerts pressure using simple experiments.
• Design an experiment to show that air can move objects.
• Identify common objects that contain air.

Before You Start

Properties of Objects

Why: Students should have prior experience identifying and describing observable properties of common objects, which helps them approach air as a substance with properties.

Introduction to Matter

Why: A basic understanding that things are made of matter helps students accept that air, though invisible, is also a form of matter.

Key Vocabulary

Air	The invisible mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth. Air is all around us, even though we cannot see it.
Occupies space	Means that air takes up room. Even though you can't see it, air needs space just like solid objects do.
Pressure	The force that air can push on things. Air pressure is why a deflated balloon gets bigger when you blow into it.
Mass	The amount of matter in something. Air has mass, which means it is made of tiny particles and has weight.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Air is 'nothing' or empty space.

What to Teach Instead

Students often think a 'hollow' container is empty. Use the 'tissue in a cup' experiment to show that air is a physical substance that can prevent water from entering a space, proving it is 'something.'

Common Misconception

Air only moves when the wind blows.

What to Teach Instead

Children may think air is static unless it's windy. Using syringes or bellows to move objects in the classroom helps them realize that air is always present and can be moved by us to exert force.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Invisible Wall

Students try to push an upside-down cup with a dry tissue inside into a bowl of water. They must work together to explain why the tissue stays dry, discovering that the air inside the cup takes up space and blocks the water.

30 min·Pairs

Simulation Game: Air Power Challenge

Small groups are given various objects (feather, paperclip, cotton ball) and a straw. They must use 'air power' (blowing through the straw) to move the objects across a finish line, discussing why some move easier than others.

25 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: Heavy Air?

Show a balance scale with two empty balloons. Blow one up and ask what will happen when it's put back on the scale. Students think, pair up to predict, and then observe the teacher perform the experiment to see that air has weight.

20 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• Pilots and meteorologists use their understanding of air pressure and air movement to fly airplanes safely and predict weather patterns. They observe how changes in air pressure can affect wind speed and direction.
• Bicycle mechanics and sports equipment manufacturers use air to inflate tires and balls. They need to know how much air to put in to ensure proper function and safety.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with a cup and a bowl of water. Ask them to predict what will happen if they push the cup upside down into the water. Then, have them perform the experiment and explain their observations, focusing on whether air prevented the water from filling the cup.

Exit Ticket

Give each student a card with a picture of a deflated balloon. Ask them to draw and write one sentence explaining what would happen if they blew air into the balloon, and one sentence explaining why.

Discussion Prompt

Ask students to think about a windy day. 'How do we know the wind is air moving? What can the wind do?' Guide them to connect the invisible movement of air to observable effects like moving leaves or flying kites.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we know air is all around us?

We can feel it when we run, see it move leaves on trees, and observe it filling up things like balloons and tires. Even though we can't see it, we see its effects on the world every day.

What are some simple ways to show air pressure?

Using a straw to drink is a great example. By sucking air out of the straw, you change the pressure, and the air outside pushes the liquid up. Suction cups are another fun way to show air pressure in action.

How can active learning help students understand air?

Since air is invisible, active learning is essential. When students physically feel the resistance of air in a syringe or watch a parachute catch the air, they are using their senses to confirm scientific facts. This hands-on evidence is much more convincing than just being told that air is a substance.

Why is air important for living things?

Most living things need oxygen from the air to breathe and turn food into energy. Plants also use carbon dioxide from the air to make their own food. Without air, life as we know it couldn't exist.