Activity
Blow It Out!
For second graders, air is a tricky science concept. After all, kids this age think in very concrete terms. And air is anything but concrete! It’s invisible; it doesn’t make sounds; you can’t pick it up and throw it. So how do we know it exists?
One key way: we can see what it does. Here is an experiment that uses simple household materials to prove the point. It can also make for a very amusing family “magic” show. Just watch!
What You Need:
- Empty gallon milk jug, clean and dry, with cap off
- Scissors
- Strong plastic garbage bag
- Duct tape
- Lighted candle
What You Do:
- Explain to your child that you will be exploring whether air really exists, even if you can’t see it. Explain that one way we can identify air is by seeing what it can do—like when you use it to blow out a candle. (Your second grader may want to practice blowing directly a few times, just to be sure!)
- Now explain that you can use the milk jug to blow out the candle, too, using just a few special modifications. Start by helping your child cut the bottom off the jug. Then cut a circle from the strong plastic bag, at least three inches bigger around than the opening of the jug.
- Use the plastic to replace the bottom of the jug, and tape it firmly with the duct tape all around, so that no air can escape.
- Now the fun part: Place the lighted candle in a holder on a table, and hold the jug at least a foot away, with the mouth of the jug pointed toward the candle. Holding the jug steady, hit the plastic firmly with an open hand. Watch: the candle should blow out, even though you never touched it or blew on it yourself. Why? The jug is full of air. When you banged on the bottom, you shot an air current straight out the jug, making a very simple version of a “vortex generator”! This is the same principle that brings us air guns and stomp rockets; together with lots of other complex physics, it also gives us space rockets, too!
Related learning resources
Is it Possible to Blow a Square Bubble?
Activity
Is it Possible to Blow a Square Bubble?
Is it possible to trick the forces of nature that make your bubbles round to create a square bubble?
2nd Grade
Activity
Map It Out
Workbook
Map It Out
...Map It Out
Grab your compass and coordinatesâitâs time for a trip!...
2nd Grade
Workbook
101 and Out!
Lesson plan
101 and Out!
If you go over 100 you’re out!
2nd Grade
Math
Lesson plan
101 and Out!
Worksheet
101 and Out!
This printable game, called 101 and Out!, is a great way for kids to practice their place value skills by using a hundreds chart.
2nd Grade
Math
Worksheet
Odd One Out
Lesson plan
Odd One Out
Will one be left out? Students will practice creative problem solving as they strive to answer this question and determine whether a group is even or odd.
2nd Grade
Math
Lesson plan
Bubble Science
Activity
Bubble Science
This recipe makes bubbles that not only blow up nice and big, but do tricks and experiments! How do you do it? It's not a secret, it's science!
Kindergarten
Science
Activity
Cube Cut-Out
Worksheet
Cube Cut-Out
This cube cut-out can help your child explore the faces and architecture of a simple shape.
2nd Grade
Math
Worksheet
A Cut-Out Birthday Card Surprise!
Worksheet
A Cut-Out Birthday Card Surprise!
Challenge your child to a cut-out contest with this printable, a birthday card cut-out that pops out in 3-D!
2nd Grade
Worksheet
Erosion Experiment
Activity
Erosion Experiment
Do you think you can blow down a sand castle with a mighty wind? Find out which material stands up best to erosion in this erosion experiment.
2nd Grade
Activity
Rectangular Prism Cut-Out
Worksheet
Rectangular Prism Cut-Out
Use this rectangular prism cut-out to help your child learn more complex geometric shapes, or practice finding the surface area or volume of an object.
2nd Grade
Math
Worksheet
How Does it Grow?: Potato
Worksheet
How Does it Grow?: Potato
Your child has probably tried a potato, but does he know the process it goes through to make it to the table? Find out with this life science worksheet.
2nd Grade
Science
Worksheet
Odd Person Out
Lesson plan
Odd Person Out
...Have students play Odd Person Out with 10 people.
Ask students what it means to be an even number....
2nd Grade
Math
Lesson plan