This is a weather observation activity and a blog hop! We are going to create a little atmosphere in a jar.
You need:
- A large jar, plastic would be safer
- water
- thermometer
- dirt
- grass seed
- egg carton
- sunshine (and temps above freezing)
The objective is for children to observe the changes that happen inside the jar.
Part 1
Take the temperature outside of the jar. Write down the number.
Put the thermometer inside the jar, put the lid on it, and set it in the sun.
Check the temperature again, record it and compare the numbers. More importantly, have your child feel how warm the inside of the jar feels. You can discuss how the sun warms the earth and is an essential key for growing plants.
Part 2
Make a little farm by putting some dirt in a egg carton, and sprinkle it with seeds. These are grass seeds:
Pour on some water…
You can cut the ends out of the top of the egg carton, then place it under the jar to keep it from rolling around. Place the lid on the jar, then put in the sunshine.
Step away from the jar for a few days. If you place it outside be sure your temperatures are above freezing.
It will grow into a fresh and fabulous bright green garden! Notice how the sun has warmed the jar and condensation has developed. You can describe to your child that clouds and rain develop in a similar way.
Place your hands in the jar. It is warm, moist and feels like a spring day!
Have fun exploring weather together!
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What a wonderful idea! Would be terrific for a little springtime fun too!
This is brilliant I can see another application in showing how the green house effect works and have pinned this and will be using this in my own teaching in the future. Thank you so much for sharing
Hi Cerys, I am so glad you found the post helpful. I love early spring weather, the first bits of green, and all of the science behind it. Kristi
This is so cool! Such a fun spring activity. It would be great if you’d like to add this to our Spring Carnival.
http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.com/2012/02/all-year-round-blog-carnival-spring.html
I really LOVE this, great idea.
Thanks for linking to Science Sparks.
x
that’s a very cool experiment!
[...] Weather in a Jar [...]
I love it! This teaches intuitively so many things they will be studying for the rest of their lives. Nothing beats a memory of a project like this to draw on, when everyone else in Biology 101 isn’t “getting it.”
I love this idea and great to see pictures with the how to do. I have pinned this idea and will share with other teachers
My daughter and step son did this project for their science project this year and the teacher counted it for their grade for the last 6 weeks and the kids loved doing it my daughter is in 2nd grade and step son is in 5th they loved doing it they had fun thanks alot for sharing this with everyone…