Student’s page Making your barometer OBJECTIVE:  Construct and use a barometer, understand atmospheric pressure MATERIALS:   tin can or glass jar clear plastic wrap or rubber balloon rubber band file folder or stiff paper straw tape scissors PRODCEDURE:   1. Cut a piece of plastic wrap or balloon at least two inches larger than the mouth of the can or jar 2.    Stretch the plastic wrap or balloon tightly across the mouth of the can or jar. 3.    Attach the plastic wrap/balloon with a rubber band. 4.    Cut a strip of file folder three inches wide and two inches longer than your can/jar is tall. 5.    On the outside edge of this strip, write “HIGH” towards the top of the strip and “LOW” towards the bottom of the strip.  Between the words, mark of a line every ¼ inch.  This is your scale.  Label each line 1,2,3,4,5 with 1 at the LOW side.   6.    Tape the scale to your can or jar. 7.    Clip one end of the strap to make a point.  Tape the other end of the straw to the plastic wrap/balloon on the top of your can.  You may need to cut some of the length of the straw off so that the pointed end of the straw will point toward your scale.   8.    Place your barometer in a safe area and record your barometric pressure reading each day. Take readings outside in the shade.  Let your barometer sit for five minutes before taking a reading.  Compare your inside and outside barometric temperature.   9.    Record your data.