6G – Upper School Science – Atmosphere

This middle school Core Experience Learning Lab (CELL) provides the opportunity for students to perform experiments centered around Charles’ Law, the relationship between the temperature and density of air, and the relationship between the density of air and atmospheric pressure. Through experiments, students become aware of how changes in the temperature of areas of the atmosphere produce changes in its density. They also gain insight to how the rising and sinking of air that results from changes in density can produce changes in atmospheric pressure and the development of high and low pressure centers. Finally, conducting experiments that simulate the creation of high and low pressure centers and gradient forces help students understand the causes and characteristics of wind. Through their experiments, students gain understanding of atmospheric events, weather phenomena, and the scientific principles that govern them.