Make a Barometer

A simple homemade barometer can be made using a balloon, a jar, and a straw to measure changes in air pressure, allowing students to observe weather patterns and make basic predictions.

1. Cut the neck off a balloon and stretch the remaining part tightly over the opening of a jar.
2. Secure the balloon in place with a thick elastic band to create a sealed surface.
3. Cut one end of a straw at an angle to make a pointer.
4. Tape the straw flat to the center of the stretched balloon so that the pointed end sticks out.
5. Place a sheet of paper or card behind the straw and mark a baseline where the pointer rests. Add weather symbols like a sun at the top and a cloud at the bottom for reference.
6. Observe how the straw moves over time as changes in air pressure push the balloon up or down.

Making a Barometer! - Clayton’s Exploration Station:

How to make a Barometer | DIY Science Time - learningscienceisfun :

📄 How to make a Barometer - Housing a Forest: http://www.housingaforest.com/how-to-make-a-barometer/

• Use a larger jar for a bigger surface area.
• Keep a weather journal alongside the barometer to compare readings with actual weather reports.

• Scissors should be handled carefully when cutting the balloon and straw.
• Ensure the jar is glass or sturdy plastic; avoid rough handling to prevent breakage.
• Supervise young children when assembling the barometer.

• Why does the straw move up or down when the weather changes? (Changes in air pressure push the balloon surface, which moves the straw.)
• How might the readings differ on a rainy day compared to a sunny day? (Rainy days often have lower air pressure; sunny days often have higher air pressure.)
• What other instruments do meteorologists use to study weather? (Thermometers, rain gauges, wind vanes, anemometers, etc.)
• Could this barometer also be used to measure altitude? (In principle, yes, since altitude changes affect air pressure, though a homemade version may not be precise enough.)