We all know that everything is made up of matter and matter has mass. It would take me two seconds to tell my kids that yes, even gas has mass. (that rhymes, and they'd giggle!) But, wouldn't it be better for them to discover that for themselves?
Exactly!
Exactly!
Our experiment begins with a simple meter stick and classroom chair. Students were to balance the meter stick on the chair and use tape to mark the fulcrum (conveniently, a recent spelling word).
Then, students fastened two deflated balloons to the meter stick, one on each end. After the balloons were attached they returned the stick to the chair, on the fulcrum, to make sure it still balanced.
Finally, each group blew up one of their balloons, filling it with gas from their lungs. Once it was tied back onto the stick they placed it back on the chair using the same fulcrum. Did it still balance?
Of course not! We read in our books that all matter has mass, whether you can see it or not!