Air Around Us

Online class for 1st — 3rd Graders

From a gentle breeze to a windstorm, air is always around us.

Join Naturalist Teresa Root to discover the air around you! Learn how air behaves when it changes temperature and how to measure air movement. Then, read along to learn more about air and weather with several great books. Also, try a fun at-home experiment with Naturalist Fellow Siri Block; all you need is a teabag, matches and help from an adult! Take a walk through your neighborhood to watch the wind: what can you observe about the air around you?

1. How We Know Air is Here

Air is all around us, but how do we know that? In this video, you’ll look for signs of air and learn how to use your senses to see, feel and hear the air around us.

2. How Air Moves

Air is constantly moving. But what makes this happen? In this video, you’ll investigate what makes air rise and fall.

3. Tools to Measure Wind

Wind is moving air. But how fast is the wind blowing and how do we know where it is coming from? In this video, you’ll learn about some of the tools meteorologists use to measure wind.

4. Tea Bag Rocket Experiment

Try this fun, at-home experiment with Naturalist Fellow Siri Block to learn how hot and cold air interact. All you need is a teabag, pair of scissors, matches, and help from an adult!

5. Hot and Cold Water Experiment

Try this fun, at-home experiment with Naturalist Fellow Ashley Johnson to learn how hot and cold water interact. All you need is water, food coloring, a tea kettle, drinking glasses, and help from an adult!

6. Air Is All Around You (Read-along)

“Air Is All Around You” by Franklyn M. Branley
Air is everywhere, but you can’t see it. Read along with a Dodge naturalist to find out how you know air is all around you!

7. Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll (Read-along)

“Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll” by Franklyn M. Branley
It’s spring and that means it’s time for thunder, lightning, and rainstorms. Learn what happens inside clouds during storms and how you can stay safe in bad weather.

8. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Read-along)

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett
Imagine living in a town where the weather brings you your food every day. That’s the crazy situation you can read about in this fun book!

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