Pique interest in water pressure, demonstrate buoyancy, and explore water displacement concepts with a homemade Cartesian diver. You may want to change the name of the toy, however, as is is not documented the Rene Descartes actually...

Explore the world's water without leaving the classroom! In this second of three uncomplicated but wonderful activities, physical science learners feel the pressure of water. They discover that the deeper the water, the stronger the...

Begin by discussing pressure and showing a video clip of James Cameron's record-setting deep-sea dive. Then assign lab groups to explore how depth affects pressure and to construct a manometer. There is another video to follow the...

Playing with balloons, water, oil, and bottles help put this lesson over the top! Participants use air-filled balloons in water tanks to experience gas compression. They also use oil-filled bottles to experiment with buoyancy. Included...

An octopus' tentacles are more like sticky, multipurpose tools than the simple leg-like appendages we view them as. Discover their amazing abilities, times eight, in an entertaining video. The narrator explains the senses located in each...

Larvae transportation on the New England seamounts is based on the density of the water. Scholars calculate density and graph salinity versus temperature to better understand the distribution of organisms in a water column. Discussions...

How does a scuba diver control whether they sink or float? Scholars observe the relationship between absolute pressure and depth below the surface in an undersea simulation. They control the diver size and depth to center of mass to see...

At a depth of 3,000 m in the ocean, the pressure is 300 times that at sea level! In the activity, individuals predict what will happen to Styrofoam cups submerged 3,000 meters into the ocean. They then convert these units to soccer...

Getting water to a tap requires an understanding the fundamentals of fluid flow. Groups design, build, and test a piping system to get water from the source — a five gallon bucket — to a tippy tap. The objective is to be able to fill...

Exactly what causes the the pain you feel when diving to the deep end of a pool? Find out with this short video that explores the physical laws governing the behavior of gases and the ways they affect marine life and scuba divers that...

Third graders complete an experiment to introduce them to the concept of water pressure. In this water pressure lesson plan, 3rd graders create pressure in a water bottle and observe the force of water that is created.

Guide your learners through the water cycle with this lesson plan. Over the course of the lesson, they read two Magic School Bus books, discuss the water cycle, come up with water facts, complete a diagram of the water cycle, recognize...

Set up a demonstration of how gravity can drive the perpetual flow of water during your hydro power unit. Science learners work in teams to make observations and formulate questions about how it works. They compare the model to what they...

Students compare the pressure of water at different depths and gain an understanding of how increased water might affect animals living in deeper waters. They participate in an experiment to show that depth, not volume, affects water...

Students experiment with the angle that yields the greatest distance of water at constant pressure.  In this experiment with the angle that yields the greatest distance of water at constant pressure instructional activity, students shoot...

Students explore the science and sport of scuba diving. In this scuba diving activity, students build Cartesian divers and observe their behavior under water pressure.

Students will observe a property of water. In this inquiry-based properties of air lesson, students observe how a change in water pressure impacts the positioning of an eye-dropper in the water container and they make hypotheses about...

Eighth graders create rockets that be launched at varying angles to determine which angle is best to launch at for the longest distance.

Physics learners apply the concepts of fluid pressure input and output to firefighting. Divide your class into small groups and give them each a few cards that list nozzle type, hose length, hose size, and structure dimensions, They are...

Sixth graders investigate the properties of water. In this life science activity, 6th graders create a concept map of water. They share their work with the class.

Learners explore the characteristics of water. For this water exploration lesson, students participate in various learning centers to inquire how water drains and how to increase the flow of water. Learners use estimation and measurement...

Students examine buoyancy and fluid pressure. They conduct a series of fun experiments to discover the effects of pressure and explore how pressure differences can be used to float, lift, transport, or hold a material in place.

Students learn about locks and dams when it comes to blocking water. In this dam lesson, students learn about the structure, function, and purpose of locks and dams. They also learn about water pressure and gravity.