To engage in inquiry with students, teachers become science explorer themselves. We encourage you to brainstorm and observe along with your students and use the insights gained about student learning with colleagues to reflect on your science teaching. This activity is an exploration into the differences and similarities between the air we breathe and helium gas. Students can experiment with balloons filled with helium and air and discuss their discoveries and ideas. Ask your students to compare the balloons and discuss how they are different and similar.
Students can draw pictures explaining how they think helium balloons fly.
This is the first step in exploring the relationship between temperature and density of a gas . This activity is an exploration of the effect of temperature on gases . Students can examine how hot and cold temperatures change the properties of gases, and learn that hot-air is less dense than cold air. Your students can experiment with different ways of changing the temperature of the balloons, either cooling or heating them. Encourage your students to come up with their own ways of measuring the difference in volume.