Boyle Vase: Exploring Air Pressure Through Art & Science

What happens when air takes up space you cannot see?

In this hands-on workshop, children will create a Boyle Vase—a classic science demonstration that brings the invisible properties of air to life through a beautiful, interactive object. By decorating and experimenting with their own vase, participants will explore how air pressure, volume, and force interact in everyday systems.

Through guided activities, children will:

• Discover that air occupies space, even though it is invisible
• Observe how changing pressure affects volume, introducing the core idea behind Boyle’s Law
• Explore why trapped air can support water, resist compression, and create surprising effects
• Connect these principles to real-world applications such as breathing, syringes, pumps, and hydraulic systems

The workshop blends creative design with physical science, encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving. Each participant will take home their completed Boyle Vase and a deeper understanding of how unseen forces shape the world around them.

Ages: 6+
Format: Hands-on, guided workshop
No prior science experience required

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

SEEDS, 706 Gilbert Street, Durham, United States

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