implementing hot-air balloons in your classroom

ImplementingHot-Air Balloons

in Your Classroom

Activity OverviewStudents are engaged with:

• Constructing• Testing• Evaluation

Materials

Zoon Balloon Class Pack IIEnough materials to build 25 cars

The class pack contains:• 25 Zoon Balloon instructions

• 25 glue sticks

• Zoon Balloon template

•Assorted-color tissue paper

•100 paper clips

ToolsConstruction Phase

Tissue paperGlue stickScissorsPencil

Paper clips

Launch PhaseIndoor Balloon Tester

Inflation Station

Construction of Hot-Air Balloon

1) Locate six pieces of tissue paper and a glue stick

2) Lay one piece of tissue paper on a flat surface and make a line of glue one-half inch wide along one edge of its 30" sides. Take another piece of tissue paper of the same color and overlap the line of glue with one of its 30" sides.

3) Repeat steps 1-2 two more times. There should be a total of three large sheets of tissue paper.

4) Stack the three sheets on top of one another. Align the corners and sides. Fold the sheets lengthwise to create a rectangle measuring 15" x 39-1/2". Once again, align the corners and sides.

5) Fold the sheets lengthwise again to create a rectangle measuring 7-1/2" x 39-1/2" (Figure 1).

Figure 1


6) Locate the gore template.

7) Align the sheets in alphabetical order, lengthwise. On Sheets B, C, and D, trim the excess paper from the sides labeled Edge 2, 4, and 6. Throw away the excess paper.

8) Take Sheet B and overlap Sheet A until the pattern is lined up. Glue the two sheets together at the overlap.

9) Repeat Step 8 to connect Sheet C to AB and Sheet D to ABC. Cut out the pattern along the lines on the outside edges of Sheets A, B, C, and D.


A B C D

Figure 2

10) Hold the template and the tissue paper firmly and cut the paper around the curved edge of the template (Figure 3).

11) Remove the paper clips and the template. Unfold the gores while keeping them stacked together. There should be six gores.

12) Set the stacked gores lengthwise in front of you. Take the top gore and slide it straight up a half inch. On the gore that was just moved, make a line of glue half an inch wide along the bottom edge (the edge closest to you) (Figure 4).


Figure 3

Figure 4

11) Beginning at the center of the edge, fold 1/2" to 3/8" of the bottom edge of the second gore up and over the bottom of the first gore you just glued, fastening the two pieces together.

12) Fold the top edge of the top gore down to the bottom edge, thus folding it in half without pressing the crease (Figure 5).

13) Slide the second gore straight down a half inch.

14) On the gore you just moved, make a line of glue half an inch wide along the top edge (the edge farthest from you).


Figure 5

Construction of Hot-Air Balloon15) Beginning at the center of the edge, fold

1/2" to 3/8" of the top edge of the third gore down and over the top of the second gore, fastening the two pieces together (Figure 6).

16) Take the seam between the first and second gores and fold it up to the seam between the second and third gores. Once again, do not press the crease.

17) Repeat steps 12-16 to fasten the remaining gores to one another. Do not fasten Gore 1 and Gore 6 to one another. For now, leave these two edges free.

18) Pick up the folded balloon, unfold it, and turn it inside out.

Figure 6

19) Using the same process as before, glue the remaining two free edges together. There should be two holes in the balloon. The smaller hole is the top and the bigger hole is the bottom.

20) Locate the excess tissue paper.

21) Take a large piece of the scrap paper and cut a six-inch square.

22) Fold the square in half twice to create a three-inch square. Carefully examine the four corners of the folded tissue paper. One corner has four free edges; the corner opposite it has none.

23) Cut an arc that trims off the corner with the four free edges. When unfolded, the paper should make a circle.


1 2

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24) Completely cover the circle with glue.

25) Put one hand inside the balloon through the bottom. With the other hand, take the circle and press it over the hole at the top of the balloon. Ensure a tight seal.

25) Locate the Zoon Balloon Mouth Pattern and cut along the two lines labeled “Cut line.” Overlap the pieces at the narrow ends a half inch and attach the pieces together using glue or tape. Fold the entire length of the joined pieces at the fold line.

26) Insert the bottom of the balloon into the folded strip and staple the strip to the balloon. Staple approximately every two inches. Overlap the strip if necessary.


Balloons can be tested indoors for holes using the Pitsco Indoor Balloon Tester. Students inflate their balloons with the tester, visually inspecting the balloons and physically running their hands around the balloons to find any escaping hot air.

Any holes are patched before an outdoor launch is attempted.

Hands-On Activity

Hold balloons over the launcher, allowing hot air to fill the balloons. After about a minute, the pull of the balloons upward will indicate the balloons are ready for launch. Let go of your balloons and watch them ascend into the sky and then descend after they have cooled.

Hands-On Activity

The Hot-Air Balloon activity provides many relevant connections to concepts in:

ScienceTechnologyEngineeringMath

Making STEM Connections

Making STEM Connections:

Science• Buoyancy• Density• Molecular motion

Technology


• Design processes• Modeling• Historical perspectives

• Problem solving• Prototyping• Technological design

Engineering


• Surface area• Volume• Measuring mass


Mathematics

Pitsco’s GS (Getting Started) Hot Air Balloon Teacher’s Guide provides student activities and teacher resources.

Activities include Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) connections for successful experiences in these areas.

Hot-Air Balloon GS Teacher’s Guide

Activity Levels• Middle school and high school

Level 1• Easier in concepts and required motor skills

Level 2• More open-ended• Slightly more difficult


Level 1 lessons include:

• Working with Surface Area

• Analyzing Balloon Flight

• Investigating Balloon Physics


Level 2 lessons include:

• Varying Volumes

• Investigating Gas Laws

• Designing for Payloads


GS Guide Features and Resources

• Standards Correlations – Each activity is correlated to national science, technology, and math standards

• Supplemental Lessons – Ideas for extension activities that incorporate Hot-Air Balloons

• Related Career Information – Lists related careers

• Teaching Tips – Ideas and suggestions for safety, construction, tools, materials, and troubleshooting


GS Guide Features and Resources

• Reproducible Student Pages – Student pages may be photocopied for use in your classroom

• Vocabulary – Words and phrases that students should become familiar with in the area of Hot-Air Balloons

• Word Search and Crossword Puzzles – Use vocabulary words and phrases related to Hot-Air Balloons


Hot-Air Balloon GS Teacher’s Guidewww.shop.pitsco.com/inflationstation

• Table of Contents

• A complete, downloadable activity (pdf)

• Questions?

implementing hot-air balloons in your classroom

Documents

gore template

curved edge

edge closest

pieces of tissue paper

large sheets of tissue

piece of tissue paper

excess paper

sheets b