CU 4.05Air Takes Up Space

1. 1

   Push a dry tissue into the bottom of the cup so it stays in place.

2. 2

   Turn the cup upside down and push it straight down into the water.

3. 3

   Lift it straight out and let the child feel the tissue: 'It is still dry. The cup was full of air, and the air kept the water out.'

4. 4

   Push the cup down again, then tip it slowly. Watch a bubble rise: 'The air is coming out, and now water goes in.'

5. 5

   Blow up the balloon slowly: 'I am filling it with air. Air takes up space.' Let a little out against the child's hand.

6. 6

   Hold up the pinwheel and blow: 'Moving air pushes the pinwheel and makes it turn.'

7. 7

   Invite the child to repeat the cup and pinwheel.

What catches the child’s eye

• The tissue coming out of the water perfectly dry
• One big bubble wobbling up when the cup is tipped

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Blow gently and then hard on the pinwheel and compare how fast it turns
2. Take the pinwheel outside and see which way the wind turns it
3. Blow a ping-pong ball across a table through a straw
4. Squeeze an empty plastic bottle near the hand to feel the air rush out