Taking Flight - International Public Science Day 2003
Oregon Museum of Science and IndustryTaking Flight - International Public Science Day 2003International Public Science Day 2003
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Kitty Hawk Flyer Model.
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Make your own hot air balloon!
See the balloon in flight!
(1.9MB Quick Time video.
Free QuickTime 6 player required.)
Build Your Own Hot Air Balloon
(Printable version of this page.)

Materials Needed:

  • Tissue paper (9 sheets)
  • Construction paper strip.
  • Glue stick, scissors, ruler, and pencil.
  • Hot air popcorn popper (~1440 watts)

Instructions:

1. Make one square:

Step 1: Make one square, 20in x 20in or 51cm x 51cm

2. Make four rectangles:

Step 2: Make four rectangles, 20in x 26in or 51cm x 66cm

3. Make four trapezoids:

Step 3: Make four trapezoids, 6in x 12in or 15cm x 30cm, 15in/38cm on the diagonal edges

4. Glue the rectangles and trapezoids into panels, then glue the panels together.

Step 4: Glue the rectangles and trapezoids into panels, then glue the panels together.

5. Glue the square on top. Then, make a construction paper ring. Glue it on to the bottom edge of the balloon.

Make a construction paper ring from a strip of construction paper 1/2in x 26in, or 1cm x 64cm.

Step 5: Glue the square on top. Then, make a construction paper ring. Glue it on to the bottom edge of the balloon.

6. Hold the balloon over the hot air popper. (Note: Adult supervision recommended. Be careful to avoid overheating the paper.)


Research Questions:

  1. How high does the balloon go when it is filled with hot air for a short time? A long time?
  2. How can you tell when it's ready to fly?

Many things influence how well a balloon floats: the temperature and density of the air (both inside and outside the balloon), the mass of the balloon materials, and the distribution of weight.

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