This is a simple hands-on activity. Students studying the atmosphere learn that molecules of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide comprise air. Air cannot be seen. The pressure this air exerts on us cannot be felt as our body’s internal pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure. In this activity, students follow a simple procedure to evacuate the air from inside an empty aluminum drink can. Once the air is removed, atmospheric pressure quickly and dramatically crushes the can. Students will need empty aluminum cans, hot plates, ice baths, and heat resistance gloves.

For more related content, "Earth Systems: a Foundational Unit for Climate Change Science," is available as a bundle and incorporates this activity with lecture notes, practice assignments, readings, quizzes, a review game, and a summative test. This unit is also available as a part of a semester-long course, "Climate Change."