Science Soars!

Do you remember your middle school science classes? If you were very lucky, it might have been a little bit like science at Archway. This is where learning also involves doing. Ms. Barbara teaches science at the Upper Campus and she invited me to watch students attempt to launch hot air balloons they had made in the classroom using tissue paper and glue sticks.

On my first visit, I watched the seventh graders try diligently to send their balloon sailing. After lighting four cans of sterno, Ms. Barbara placed a charcoal chimney on top of them to funnel the heated air up into the balloons. Unfortunately, they couldn't get enough hot air into their balloon on this windy and rapidly warming day to send it sailing. These were not ideal conditions for this particular experiment and in the end they had to bow to the elements and resolve to try again another day.

I returned the following day to see the eigth graders. In contrast to the previous day, this one was chilly and overcast with a slight breeze. In other words, just about perfect. There were two balloons to be launched made by two different work groups. Watch the video below to see how the launches went.

Pretty cool, huh? I can't wait to make one of these at home. Don't forget to attach fishing line so you can keep it from flying away. The first launchers retrieved their balloon and were trying to repair it enough for one more flight and the second group was already trying again when I had to leave. Many thanks to Ms. Barbara and the 7th and 8th graders for inviting me and my cameras to document this exhilirating experiment.